Pancytopenia and B-symptoms - an unexpected souvenir?

History The 79-year-old patient was admitted with recurring fever, weight loss, night sweat, a decrease in physical capacity and hematomas of the extremities. Findings The patient presented with pancytopenia, elevated CRP and impaired renal function. A splenomegaly was evident in abdominal sonography. A bone marrow aspiration was performed. Diagnosis Histopathologic examination revealed a visceral Leishmaniasis. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR from peripheral blood. Therapy and course After initiation of liposomal amphotericin B haematopoiesis recovered and CRP decreased. Initially the renal function deteriorated with prolongated improvement in the course of therapy. Conclusions Pancytopenia and corresponding symptoms are suspect for visceral Leishmaniasis also in patients supposed to be immunocompetent with travel history of endemic regions.

Automated summary

The article reports a 79-year-old patient who was admitted with symptoms of recurring fever, weight loss, night sweat, decreased physical capacity, and hematomas of the extremities. The patient was diagnosed with visceral Leishmaniasis based on histopathologic examination and confirmed by PCR from peripheral blood. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B resulted in recovery of hematopoiesis and decrease in CRP levels. Renal function initially deteriorated but improved gradually during the course of therapy.