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Imported Visceral Leishmaniasis in Timiș County, Western Romania
Alin Gabriel Mihu1,2,3, Ioana Ionita4,5, Mariana Patiu6
1Center for Diagnosis and Study of Parasitic Diseases, Department of Infectious Disease, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Microorganisms
|June 26, 2026
Summary
Two cases of imported visceral leishmaniasis (VL) were diagnosed in Romania, highlighting the need for clinical awareness of this parasitic infection in non-endemic areas. Early diagnosis is crucial, even with atypical symptoms, emphasizing travel history in patient evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a rare parasitic infection increasingly recognized in non-endemic European regions.
- Romania has reported a rise in VL cases, necessitating awareness among healthcare providers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report two cases of visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed in Timiș County, Romania.
- To emphasize the importance of considering VL in patients with unexplained cytopenias, even without classic organomegaly.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis was confirmed by identifying *Leishmania* amastigotes in bone marrow aspirates.
- Case classification involved epidemiological links to endemic regions in Spain.
Main Results:
- Two adult males were diagnosed with VL in 2020.
- One patient presented with fever, massive splenomegaly, and pancytopenia; the other had atypical symptoms including fatigue and bicytopenia without organomegaly.
- Both cases were linked to travel in endemic areas of eastern Spain.
Conclusions:
- Clinical suspicion for VL is crucial in patients with unexplained cytopenias and elevated inflammatory markers, irrespective of organomegaly.
- Travel history is vital for diagnosing imported VL in non-endemic regions like Romania.
- Increased clinical awareness of imported VL is needed for patients returning from southern European endemic areas.
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