Suspect the Unexpected: A Rare Association of Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis with Visceral Leishmaniasis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a common tropical infection presenting with a myriad of hematological abnormalities. We report an unusual case of an 11-year-old girl suffering from a febrile illness with hepatosplenomegaly and anemia. Laboratory findings included pancytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia. The leishmania antigen rK39 was positive and bone marrow examination revealed hemophagocytosis and amastigote forms of Leishmania donovani. Direct Coombs' test was positive (warm type, IgG) and LDH was elevated. Tests for other infections were negative. A diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis with autoimmune hemolytic anemia (warm antibody type, IgG) with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis was made. Patient showed response with anti-leishmanial treatment with improvement in clinical condition.

Keywords: Autoimmune hemolytic anemia; Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis; Visceral Leishmaniasis.