[Pancytopenia and B-symptoms - an unexpected souvenir?].

HISTORY: The 79-year-old patient was admitted with recurring fever, weight loss, night sweat, a decrease in physical capacity and hematomas of the extremities.

FINDINGS: The patient presented with pancytopenia, elevated CRP and impaired renal function. A splenomegaly was evident in abdominal sonography. A bone marrow aspiration was performed.

DIAGNOSIS: Histopathologic examination revealed a visceral Leishmaniasis. The diagnosis was confirmed by PCR from peripheral blood.

THERAPY AND COURSE: After initiation of liposomal amphotericin B haematopoiesis recovered and CRP decreased. Initially the renal function deteriorated with prolongated improvement in the course of therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Pancytopenia and corresponding symptoms are suspect for visceral Leishmaniasis also in patients supposed to be immunocompetent with travel history of endemic regions.