Visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed in a patient with MALT lymphoma.
We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a 66-year-old female with a history of MALT lymphoma in the gastrointestinal tract. The patient presented with major hemorrhage per rectum and perforation of the small intestine. Due to unexplained decreasing platelets, lymphoma bone marrow involvement was suspected and bone marrow examination was performed. Surprisingly, Leishman-Donovan bodies were detected. The low platelet count, caused by the combination of MALT lymphoma and visceral leishmaniasis, appears to have aggravated the symptoms of the intestinal lymphoma. Leishmaniasis should be suspected even among asymptomatic patients with immune compromising illnesses and a travel history to areas where leishmaniasis is endemic.
Kaae
J
J
Department of Hematology, Herlev University Hospital, Herlev Ringvej, 2730 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Nørgaard
P
P
Himmelstrup
B
B