A rare hematological complication of visceral leishmaniasis: hemophagocytic syndrome

Abstract

The term "hemophagocytosis" describes the pathologic finding of activated macrophages, engulfing erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and their precursor cells. This phenomenon is an important finding in patients with hemophagocytic syndrome. It is a distinct clinical entity characterized by fever, pancytopenia, splenomegaly and hemophagocytosis in bone marrow, liver and lymph nodes. Hemophagocytic syndrome can be classified according to the underlying etiology into either primary (genetic) or secondary (acquired). Severe infections, malignancies, rheumatologic disorders and some metabolic diseases can lead to secondary hemophagocytic syndrome. Infection-associated hemophagocytic syndrome implicating Leishmania is very rare and often difficult to diagnose. Therefore, we aimed to report a young boy with Visceral Leishmaniasis associated hemophagocytic syndrome.