Visceral leishmaniasis and malnutrition: A case report

Background. - Visceral leishmaniasis occurring in malnourished subjects can have an uncommon course, which explains difficulties in its diagnosis. Case report. - A 22-month-old infant was admitted because of malnutrition a nd prolonged fever. The bacteriological investigation was negative. When hi s nutritional status improved, he developed a splenomegaly. The medullogram confirmed the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. The course was then fav orable with treatment by pentavalent antimonial. Conclusion. - Malnutrition constitutes a risk factor of opportunist parasit ic disease such as leishmaniasis. Its diagnosis can be very difficult. (C) 1999 Elsevier, Paris.