Neonatal gastrointestinal mucormycosis--a case report.

Mucormycosis is a rare opportunistic fungal infection. It occurs mainly in immunocompromised patients and is usually fatal in children. This fungus can affect central nervous system, nasopharynx, lungs, skin and gastrointestinal tract. It invades the blood vessels and causes thrombosis, leading to infarction of the surrounding tissues. The diagnosis depends mainly on histopathological examination and demonstration of the fungus in the tissue sections, therefore a high index of suspicion and early exploration is required. We report a case of malnourished child who presented with perforation peritonitis. Investigations revealed very low total serum proteins and raised serum creatinine and blood urea levels. On exploratory laparotomy three perforations were located in the gastrointestinal tract. Histopathlogical examination of the perforation edge sections showed characteristic fungal hyphae confirming the diagnosis of gastrointestinal mucormycosis.

Hemophagocytic syndrome associated with visceral leishmaniasis.

The present paper reports a case of 6-year-old male child, suffering from pallor, fever and hepatosplenomegaly. A clinical diagnosis of enteric fever with a second possibility of malaria was considered. Laboratory findings included bicytopenia, hyperbilirubinemia and raised liver enzymes. Bone marrow examination revealed active hemophagocytosis. On extensive search few amastigote forms of Leishmania donovani were seen. Patient was negative for other viral, bacterial and malaria infections. The final diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome associated with visceral leishmaniasis was made. There was response of anti-Leishmanial treatment with improvement in clinical condition.