Is splenectomy an option for multiple relapses in a child with visceral leishmaniasis? A case report

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical
• Main Authors: Marcos Adriano Garcia Campos, Andrey Salgado Moraes Filho, Gustavo Ribeiro Féres Moraes Rêgo, Raphael Oliveira Lima Silva, Rebeca Aranha Barbosa Sousa, Yolande Pokam Tchuisseu, Gyl Eanes Barros Silva, Mônica Elinor Alves Gama
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT) 2021
• Subjects: Splenectomy; Leishmaniasis; Recurrence; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0748-2020; https://doaj.org/article/769333423995406ab149805d85b47472

Abstract Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an infectious disease caused by Leishmania spp. The recurrence of the disease occurs, in general, in patients with decreased or loss of T-cell function, whether due to the use of corticosteroids, immunosuppressive disease, or another cause. In some cases, splenectomy may be a therapeutic option. However, the effectiveness of splenectomy is not well defined. This report describes the evolution of a pediatric patient with seven recurrences of VL, who relapsed post-surgery after drug therapy and splenectomy.