Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis associated with visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is a systemic disease caused by the dissemination of protozoan parasite Leishmania throughout the reticuloendothelial system. It may mimic or lead to several types of hematological disorders including hemophagocytosis. Infection associated hemophagocytic syndrome implicating Leishmania is very rare and often difficult to diagnose. Here, we describe a child with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) associated with VL.