[Visceral leishmaniasis: a possible diagnosis in Belgium]

A 22-months old girl contracted visceral leishmaniasis during a vacation in Portugal, 12 months prior the manifestation of disease. She presented with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. A serological test proved the diagnosis. Therapy with a pentavalent antimony drug brought about immediate improvement. Visceral leishmaniasis has to be suspected in individuals with fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia who have resided in endemic areas (Mediterranean countries, India, East Africa, South America) during the previous years. If untreated, visceral leishmaniasis runs a fatal course. Therefore, early diagnosis by morphological and serological means and specific therapy with pentavalent antimony drugs are mandatory.