Dyarrheal Syndrome in a Patient Co-Infected with Leishmania infantum and Schistosoma mansoni. (18th November 2012)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Cota, Gláucia Fernandes; Gomes, Luciana Inácia; Pinto, Bruna Fernandes; Santos-Oliveira, Joanna R.; Da-Cruz, Alda Maria; Pedrosa, Moisés Salgado; Tafuri, Wagner Luiz; Rabello, Ana
• Other Names: Peters Stephen P. Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Case reports in medicine. Volume 2012(2012)
• Publication Date: 2012-11-18
• Subjects: Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; Medicine; Case Reports; Periodicals; 610
• DOI: 10.1155/2012/240512
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1687-9627

Abstract

Abstract : This case report describes an atypical clinical presentation of visceral leishmaniasis affecting the digestive tract and causing malabsorption syndrome in a patient without recognized immunosuppressive condition. After appropriate treatment for the classical visceral form of the disease, diarrhea persisted as the main symptom and massive infection by Leishmania was detected by histopathology analysis of the duodenal mucosa. Schistosoma mansoni coinfection was also confirmed and treated without impact on diarrhea. New course of amphotericin B finally led to complete improvement of diarrhea. Atypical visceral leishmaniasis involving the gastrointestinal tract is well recognized in HIV coinfection but very rare in immunocompetent patients. The factors determining the control or evolution of the Leishmania infection have not been completely identified. This case stresses the importance of atypical symptoms and the unusual location of visceral leishmaniasis, not only in immunodepressed patients, and raises the possible influence of chronic infection by S. mansoni reducing the immune response to Leishmania .