Bacterial infection as a presenting manifestation of visceral leishmaniasis

José M. Gracés, Santiago Tomás, Juan Rubiés-Prat, Juan L. Gimeno, Ludvik Drobnic

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two patients admitted to the hospital because of severe bacterial infection were diagnosed as having visceral leishmaniasis. The types of bacterial infection were perianal abscess and pneumonia; Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae were isolated from exudates and blood cultures, respectively. A third patient admitted because of acute necrotizing infection of the pharynx and visceral leishmaniasis is also discussed. Cultures from this patient failed to yield pathogens. Anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia was present in all patients, and bone marrow aspirate revealed the presence of Leishmania in macrophages. We conclude that in areas where leishmaniasis is endemic, early bone marrow aspirate should, in most instances, be performed in patients with bacterial infection associated with anemia, leukopenia, or thrombocytopenia if hepatomegaly and/or splenomegaly is present. © 1990 by The University of Chicago.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)518-519
JournalClinical Infectious Diseases
Volume12
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 1990

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Bacterial infection as a presenting manifestation of visceral leishmaniasis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this