Disseminated Leishmaniasis Due to Using Immunosuppression Drugs: A Case Report

• Main Authors: Maryam AFSHOON, Mohammadreza ABDOLSALEHI, Golnaz ALINIA, Katayoun BORHANI, Bahareh YAGHMAIE, Mahmoud KHODABANDEH
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Tehran University of Medical Sciences 2020-06-01
• Series: Iranian Journal of Parasitology
• Subjects: Visceral leishmaniasis; Splenomegaly; Pancytopenia; Iran
• Online Access: https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/2952

Visceral leishmaniasis is a common parasitic disease between humans and animals, transmitted by sandflies (Phlebotomus) in the Mediterranean countries, including Iran. The statistics have been reported less than real due to errors in the diagnosis and reporting of affected cases. In this report, we will present the symptoms and manifestations of this disease to reduce late detection and exacerbating factors. The patient was a three-year-old girl from Tehran, Iran who had ascites and hepatomegaly. When she was 9 month-old, she was diagnosed as autoimmune hepatitis after liver biopsy and she was treated with immunosuppressive drugs (Azathioprine, prednisolone, and cyclosporine) for 22 months, but later she suffered from fever, pancytopenia, and hepatosplenomegaly. Then a bone marrow biopsy was done for her. There was a large amount of Leishman body in her bone marrow and treatment for Kala-azar was started for her. In patients with prolonged fever and splenomegaly, especially association with pancytopenia, consider leishmaniasis. Immunosuppressive drugs can disseminate parasitic diseases, including visceral leishmaniasis.