Visceral Leishmaniasis with Endobronchial Involvement in an Immunocompetent Adult

Abstract EN

Visceral leishmaniasis is characterized by fever, cachexia, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and hypergammaglobulinemia.

Cough may be a presenting symptom as well.

However, pulmonary involvement is considered rare and mainly described in immunocompromised patients.

We describe a case of an immunocompetent adult whose clinical presentation was dominated by cough and hemoptysis.

Bronchoscopy revealed a discreet polypoid mucosal endobronchial lesion whose biopsy yielded Leishmania amastigotes within histiocytes.

Transbronchial needle biopsy of a right paratracheal lymph node was also positive.

Leishmania amastigotes were also found on bone marrow and liver biopsies.

Treatment with IV Amphotericin B was successful.

In conclusion, cough should not be overlooked as a presenting symptom of visceral leishmaniasis and may be a sign of pulmonary involvement.