[Imported visceral leishmaniasis (kala azar) in a German infant]

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In Vivo Imaging of Leishmania infantum-infected Hamsters by Gingival Inoculation of Axenic Amastigotes Expressing Luciferase
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M Emeis1, O Liesenfeld, G Henze

  • 1Kinderklinik des Universitätsklinikum Rudolf Virchow, Standort Wedding, Freie Universität Berlin.

Klinische Padiatrie
|November 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

A child returning from Mallorca was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis, a parasitic infection. Early diagnosis using PCR and treatment with stibogluconate led to rapid improvement, highlighting the importance of considering this infection in travelers.

Area of Science:

  • Tropical Medicine
  • Parasitology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Visceral leishmaniasis is a serious parasitic disease often associated with travel to endemic areas.
  • Differential diagnosis in febrile children with pancytopenia and splenomegaly can be challenging, sometimes mimicking malignancy.

Observation:

  • A pediatric case presented with pancytopenia, splenomegaly, and fever after returning from Mallorca, Spain.
  • Microscopic examination of bone marrow and PCR of peripheral blood confirmed Leishmania donovani infection.

Findings:

  • Treatment with stibogluconate for 25 days resulted in rapid defervescence and clinical improvement within 4 days.
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) demonstrated high sensitivity for diagnosing visceral leishmaniasis in this case.

Implications:

  • Leishmania donovani infections should be considered in the differential diagnosis of suspected malignancies in patients with travel history to Mediterranean countries.
  • PCR is a valuable and sensitive diagnostic tool for visceral leishmaniasis, aiding prompt treatment and management.

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