Open AccessA case of severe visceral leishmaniasis resulting from travel to Greece
Author(s) -
Alexander Hamilton,
Anthony D. Kelleher,
Debbie Marriott
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr.06.2009.2036
Subject(s) - visceral leishmaniasis , medicine , leishmaniasis , leishmania , intensive care medicine , amphotericin b , travel medicine , antibiotics , antifungal , immunology , dermatology , pathology , parasite hosting , world wide web , computer science , microbiology and biotechnology , biology
Visceral leishmaniasis is rare in the developed world, particularly in immunocompetent hosts. It must be considered, however, in patients who are unwell, febrile and unresponsive to conventional antibiotics with a history of travel to areas where leishmaniasis is endemic. A case of more severe clinical manifestations than have been previously reported in Australia is presented here. The recent introduction of PCR technology for the detection of Leishmania in Australia has improved the diagnosis and management of leishmaniasis. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B proved to be very effective in this severe case of visceral leishmaniasis.