World Journal of
Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF MACROPHAGEAL ACTIVATION SYNDROME IN VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN AN INFANT: A CASE REPORT

Zineb AL Youssoufi*, Mehdi Aziki, Hicham Yahyaoui Mohamed Chakour

ABSTRACT

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe parasitic disease that can lead to macrophage activation syndrome (MAS), a serious hematological complication that can be fatal without early management. The diagnosis of MAS is complex due to the clinical similarity with other inflammatory or infectious pathologies. This study reports a case of VL complicated by MAS in an infant and highlights the importance of biological diagnosis. The main objective is to describe the diagnostic process, highlighting the role of the laboratory in identifying this potentially fatal complication. The study concerns an 18-month-old infant, hospitalized for prolonged fever, pancytopenia and hepatosplenomegaly in a region endemic for leishmaniasis. A biological assessment was carried out including a blood count, a blood smear, the dosage of inflammatory markers, a Leishmania ELISA serology and an analysis of the bone marrow smear. Despite a first negative myelogram, the persistence of biological and clinical abnormalities motivated the performance of a second myelogram, confirming the presence of hemophagocytosis.

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