Visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis is a worldwide distributed infectious zoonotic disease caused by protozoan pathogens of the genus Leishmania which are transmitted by sandflies. The main hosts are dogs. The prevalence in Germany is low. Predominantly affected are migrants and travelers returning from Mediterranean countries. The main clinical symptoms are fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. The diagnosis is made by polymerase chain reaction of peripheral blood or direct detection of Leishmania in bone marrow aspirates. Lesions of the liver and spleen can easily be misinterpreted as numerous benign or malignant differential diagnoses. Treatment is always systemic with antiparasitic drugs. Immunosuppressed patients with HIV co-infection or after solid organ transplantation are prone to infection as well as atypical and severe courses.