title: [Evaluation of visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis using indirect fluorescent antibody tests in 4 pediatric patients].
abstract: Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) in infancy is mostly seen between the ages of 2-4,and visceral infection causes long standing fever, weakness, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. Leishmania infantum is responsible for VL in Turkey. In this study, 4 pediatric cases of VL were analysed retrospectively. Bone marrow aspirate was obtained in two cases and Leishmania amastigotes were not obtained in these cases. Leishmania antibodies by the indirect immun fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) were positive in all cases. We consider that IFAT was a suitable alternative to parasite detection in the conclusive diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in pediatric patients when strong clinical suspicion is present.
authors.affiliation: Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Pediatrik Hematoloji Bilim Dalı, Denizli, Türkiye, Turkey. dryibalci@gmail.com
authors.forename: Yasemin Işık
authors.initials: YI
authors.lastname: Balcı
authors.forename: Meral
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Türk
authors.forename: Arzu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozgür
authors.forename: Kazım
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Küçüktaşçı
mesh_terms: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000469:parasitology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan