Case Report: Intestinal Leishmaniasis in a Patient with AIDS

Abstract

In endemic regions visceral leishmaniasis is one of the most common opportunistic infections in HIV positive patients. Simultaneous infection with leishmania and HIV has been reported in some countries but there's no such report from Iran in medical literature. Patient was a 27-year-old man admitted with chief complaints of intermittent abdominal pain, anorexia and vomiting since 6 months ago. He also mentioned mild night fevers, watery diarrhea and severe weight loss during this time. He was of low socioeconomic status, was unemployed and had a history of imprisonment 4 years ago. Physical examination revealed low-grade fever (T=38.1ºC) and severe cachexia (Weight=41 Kg, Height=165 cm). Oropharyngeal candidiasis was evident in oral examination. In upper GI endoscopy, candidal esophagitis and duodenal nodularity were seen. Candidal plaques were also visible in duodenal mucosa. Microscopic evaluation of duodenal biopsy material showed partial blunting of the villi. Abundant macrophages containing intracytoplasmic microorganisms had infiltrated and expanded the lamina propria. High magnification view revealed leishmania amastigotes with nuclei and kinetoplasts. Leishman bodies were also observed in bone marrow aspiration specimen. Serologic studies (latex agglutination and Immunofluorescence antibody) were positive for Leishmania infantum. Serology for HIV antibody was also positive. CD4+ cell count was 80/μl. The diagnosis was acquired immunodeficiency syndrome with simultaneous visceral leishmaniasis involving intestinal mucosa.