title: Visceral leishmaniasis with pleural effusion in an immunocompetent patient.
abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is usually characterized by splenomegaly, pallor and fever. Pleural effusion is an uncommon feature of this disease, which is encountered in immunocompromised patients. Here, we report a case of VL with pleural effusion in an immunocompetent patient. Pulmonary symptoms in VL are usually related to bacterial lung infection, vagal nerve compression by splenomegaly, and hypoalbuminaemia with mild pulmonary edema. Our patient presented with cough and chest pain. The clinical features of this case were baffling since they mimicked that of pulmonary tuberculosis. This case report emphasizes the need to recognize the diverse nature of presentation of this curable yet fatal infectious disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Medical College, College Street, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Senjuti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dasgupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, ESI PGIMSR, Manicktala, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Moutushi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saha
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, ESI PGIMSR, Manicktala, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Sudipta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chakrabarti
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, ESI PGIMSR, Manicktala, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
authors.forename: Jayati
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chakraborty
keywords: Immunocompetent patient; pleural effusion; visceral leishmaniasis