title: Visceral leishmaniasis resembling systemic lupus erythematosus.
abstract: We describe three cases with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) associated with autoimmune manifestations. The patients presented with anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, renal involvement and low complement levels. Autoimmune features were present (antinuclear and anticardiolipin antibodies, VDRL, RF, positive direct Coombs' test), which subsided after therapy. Leishmaniasis should be taken into consideration in the differential diagnosis of autoimmune disorders.
authors.affiliation: Medical School, National University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Michalis
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Voulgarelis
authors.forename: Paraskevi V
authors.initials: PV
authors.lastname: Voulgari
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Serelis
authors.forename: Alexandros A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Drosos
authors.forename: Fotini N
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Skopouli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007891:Leishmania / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000666:Amphotericin B