Abstract

In endemic regions, visceral leishmaniasis is one of the most common opportunistic infections in HIV positive patients. Simultaneous infection with Leishmania and HIV has been reported in some countries but this is the first report of such a case in Iran. Our patient was a 27 years old man with intermittent night fever, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, vomiting, watery diarrhea and severe weight loss for 6 months. He had low socio-economic status with an imprisonment history. The patient was quite cachectic and had low grade fever. Physical exam and upper GI endoscopy revealed oropharyngeal candidiasis. Microscopic evaluation of duodenal biopsy material showed Leishmania amastigotes in macrophages of lamina propria. Leishman bodies were also observed in bone marrow aspiration specimen. Serologic tests were positive for Leishmania infantum. HIV antibody was also positive with a CD4+cell count of 80/μl. The diagnosis was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with simultaneous visceral leishmaniasis involving intestinal mucosa.

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Authors

Molaei M, Minakari M, Pejhan Sh, Mashayekhi R, Modaress Fatthi AR, Zali MR

Institution

Department of Pathology, Research Center of Gastroenterology and Liver Disease, Shaheed Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Source

Iranian Red Crescent medical journal 13:5 2011 May pg 348-51

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22737493