Visceral Leishmaniasis with Lung Involvement in a Healthy Adult
Author Information
Author(s): Kotsifas Konstantinos, Metaxas Eugenios, Koutsouvelis Ioannis, Skoutelis Athanassios, Kara Panayiota, Tatsis George
Primary Institution: Evaggelismos General Hospital
Hypothesis
Can visceral leishmaniasis present with pulmonary symptoms in immunocompetent individuals?
Conclusion
Cough should not be overlooked as a presenting symptom of visceral leishmaniasis and may indicate pulmonary involvement.
Supporting Evidence
- The patient presented with cough and hemoptysis, which are uncommon symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis.
- Bronchoscopy revealed a polypoid lesion with Leishmania amastigotes.
- The patient was successfully treated with IV Amphotericin B.
Takeaway
A healthy man had a rare case of a lung infection caused by a parasite called Leishmania, which usually affects people with weak immune systems.
Methodology
The case was diagnosed through clinical examination, imaging, bronchoscopy, and biopsies.
Limitations
Only one case is reported, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
A 40-year-old man of Albanian descent living in Athens.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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