title: Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) as a cause of fever of unknown origin.
abstract: A patient with a rare cause of fever of unknown origin, visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar), is reported. The diagnosis was made by exploratory laparotomy and splenectomy after diagnostic studies had failed to reveal the cause of the fever. The patient was cured with a 6-day course of therapy with Pentostam (sodium antimony gluconate). Visceral leishmaniasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with obscure fever who have traveled in endemic areas.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005335:Fever of Unknown Origin / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male
chemical_list: D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate