J Korean Assoc Pediatr Surg.  2004 Jun;10(1):35-38.

Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Child

• Kim HY
• Jung SE
• Park KW
• Kim WK

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a life-threatening systemic infection caused by a protozoa of the genus leishmania and transmitted by sandfly. We report the first case of visceral leishmanaisis in Korea. The patient was a one-year-old girl admitted with the symptoms of fever, abdominal distension, pancytopenia, and purpura. She traveled to Argentina 5 months ago, and has had symptoms such as fever and pale appearance. Laboratory findings were: WBC, 12,680/mm3; Hg, 3.7g/dL; platelet, 100K; total bilirubin, 1.2mg/dL; AST/ALT, 48/10 U/L. CT scan and MRI showed hepato-splenomegaly. On laparotomy, excision of an accessory spleen and splenic hilar lymph nodes were performed. Many amastigotes were microscopically identified in histiocytes from the biopsy tissues. Sodium stibogluconate was administrated for 2 weeks, which did not relieve the symptoms. After administration of the additional Amphotericin B for 3 weeks, symptoms were improved.

Keyword

Visceral leishmaniasis; Non-endemic areas; Child

MeSH Terms

Amphotericin B
Antimony Sodium Gluconate
Argentina
Bilirubin
Biopsy
Blood Platelets
Child*
Female
Fever
Histiocytes
Humans
Korea
Laparotomy
Leishmania
Leishmaniasis, Visceral*
Lymph Nodes
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Pancytopenia
Psychodidae
Purpura
Spleen
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Amphotericin B
Antimony Sodium Gluconate
Bilirubin