Visceral leishmaniasis complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis: A case report from a nonendemic area

Clin Case Rep. 2023 May 4;11(5):e7309. doi: 10.1002/ccr3.7309. eCollection 2023 May.

Abstract

Key clinical message: Visceral leishmaniasis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis share many features in common and may coincide in the same patient. Timely diagnosis and management of visceral leishmaniasis could save patients from unnecessary toxic treatment.

Abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis share many clinical features in common and may coexist in the same patient. Visceral leishmaniasis should be promptly ruled out in patients coming from endemic areas before starting immunosuppressive therapy for hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. The mainstay treatment, in this case, is anti-leishmania medications preferably liposomal amphotericin-B.

Keywords: acute medicine; allergy and immunology; infectious diseases.

Publication types

  • Case Reports