Visceral Leishmaniosis in Bone Marrow Aspiration

Visceral leishmaniosis, kala-azar, or black fever is a fatal disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Serological testing is more frequently used in endemic areas. The recombinant kinesin antigen (rK39) is a useful antigen in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), also available in strip format as a rapid test, but the best way for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniosis is histopathologic demonstration of the parasite by aspiration or biopsy of affected organs (usually, bone marrow or spleen aspirations).

Here, we present the case of a 5-year-old girl with fever, weight loss, weakness and massive hepatosplenomegaly. In lab data, pancytopenia was observed. ELISA rapid test was negative for leishmaniosis. Bone marrow aspiration showed amastigotes within macrophages and outside cells.

The aim of this report was to emphasize that bone marrow aspiration is an accurate method for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniosis