Related Experiment Videos
[Visceral leishmaniasis and multiple organ failure]
A Mesejo1, C Núñez, A Llombart
1Servicio de Medicina Intensiva, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Valencia.
Enfermedades Infecciosas Y Microbiologia Clinica
|December 1, 1993
Summary
Visceral leishmaniasis can be fatal in healthy individuals, even with prompt antimony treatment. This case highlights a rare, aggressive clinical course and suggests potential immune system dysregulation.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Tropical Medicine
Background:
- Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) typically has a good prognosis in immunocompetent patients.
- VL is increasingly prevalent in immunocompromised individuals, often presenting with severe disease and high mortality.
- This study details a rare case of VL in a healthy patient with an atypical, severe clinical presentation.
Observation:
- A 17-year-old patient without immunosuppression was diagnosed with VL via bone marrow biopsy showing Leishmania amastigotes.
- The patient received immediate treatment with antimony therapy.
- Despite treatment, the patient experienced rapid multi-organ failure.
Findings:
- Visceral leishmaniasis can exhibit a dramatic and fatal short-term outcome in immunocompetent hosts.
- The patient developed respiratory distress, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and hepatic/renal insufficiency.
- Death occurred 13 days after admission to the intensive care unit.
Implications:
- This case challenges the assumption of a universally favorable prognosis for VL in healthy individuals.
- A potential dysregulated immunological response, similar to non-septic pathologies, is suggested as a cause for the severe outcome.
- Further research into atypical immune responses in VL is warranted to understand and manage severe cases.