Diagnosis and investigation of an imported case of visceral leishmaniasis in Wuhan City
- Author:
YANG Yan
;
ZHOU Shuimao
;
GUO Qing
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- Keywords:
Visceral leishmaniasis;
Leishmania;
imported case;
misdiagnosis
- From:
China Tropical Medicine
2025;25(1):127-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
This paper reports the discovery, diagnosis, treatment, and epidemiological survey of an imported confirmed visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) case in Wuhan City, providing a reference experience for enhancing awareness of imported visceral leishmaniasis among medical professionals in non-endemic healthcare institutions and reducing misdiagnosis. The patient had worked in Yangquan, Shanxi Province, for more than one year. After returning to his hometown in Hubei Province in 2020, he began to show symptoms such as intermittent fever, pancytopenia, progressive splenomegaly, and significant weight loss. Leishmania amastigotes were found in bone marrow smears. The rapid diagnostic test using the rk39 strip was positive for antibodies. Furthermore, both loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays confirmed the presence of Leishmania nucleic acid. Based on a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiological history, clinical manifestations, and laboratory test results, the case was confirmed as an imported visceral leishmaniasis case. This case presented with low parasite density and abnormal autoimmune indicators such as increased rheumatoid factor, leading to its prolonged misdiagnosis as a hematologic or autoimmune disease without effective treatment. It was only diagnosed after having left the endemic area for four years. Non-endemic areas should pay attention to the inquiry of epidemiological history and improve healthcare institutions' diagnostic awareness and treatment capabilities related to visceral leishmaniasis to avoid delays in treatment.
- Full text:202511141019134418421.Diagnosis and investigation of an imported case of visceral leishmaniasis in Wuhan City.pdf
