Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis secondary to visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic area in the north of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract INTRODUCTION Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an ill-studied disease that is endemic to several regions of Brazil. It is often complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), a potentially fatal disorder resulting from excessive non-malignant activation/proliferation of T lymphocytes and macrophages. Considering the overlapping clinical and laboratory characteristics of these diseases, diagnosing HLH is a challenge. Therefore, tracking the association between VL and HLH is necessary in endemic areas. Although HLH can be inapparent and resolve with antileishmanicides, this may not always occur. HLH causes high lethality; therefore, immunosuppressive therapy should be instituted immediately in order to avoid a fatal outcome. METHODS: We described the epidemiological, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic profile of this association in a region of Brazil endemic for VL. RESULTS We presented 39 patients with this association in a retrospective cohort of 258 children who were admitted from January 2012 to June 2017. Of the 39 patients, 31 were from urban areas (79.5%), and 21 (53%) were males. The mean age and weight were 2.86 (2.08) years and 14.03 (5.96) kg, respectively. The main symptoms were fever (100%), hepatosplenomegaly (100%), pallor of the skin and mucosa (82.5%), edema (38.5%), bleeding (25%), and jaundice (7.5%). Hemophagocytosis was identified in 16/37 (43.24%) patients, and direct examination revealed that 26/37 (70.27%) patients were positive for VL. The patients were treated as recommended by the Ministry of Health. CONCLUSIONS It was observed that HLH is a common complication in endemic areas, and its diagnosis must consider the overlapping of clinical characteristics and pancytopenia.

Evaluation of cross reactivity between Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania infantum in serologically ineligible blood donors due to chagas diseas

Inconclusive serological screening for Trypanosoma cruzi has been a problem for blood banks. This study examined the performance of serological techniques for Chagas disease in reagent samples from blood bank screenings and verified the possibilities of cross reactivity with visceral leishmaniasis. 68 samples of reagent donors tested with ELISA for Chagas disease were evaluated by other techniques and for the detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies. Four donors (5.9%) with positive results for T. cruzi were positive for ELISA Kalazar Detect (visceral leishmaniasis),three of which were confirmed by Western blot. This study confirms the specificity of the tests for Chagas disease in blood banks and reinforces the urgent adoption of measures to assess the real risk of transfusion transmission of visceral leishmaniasis