Severe visceral leishmaniasis and COVID-19 coinfection in an immunosuppressed patient

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an opportunistic disease in immunosuppressed individuals, who may present severe clinical conditions, such as the ones described in this patient. She lived in an endemic region for VL, and was possibly infected with L. (L.) infantum chagasi through the bite of a contaminated sand fly. This initial infection has triggered a pemphigus vulgaris condition by immunogenic proteins present in the mosquito's saliva. The immunosuppression caused by the use of high doses of corticosteroids to control the disease promoted a severe VL condition, with hepatosplenomegaly, thrombocytopenia and hemorrhages, requiring hospitalization and the onset of a subsequent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Due to the intensity of clinical manifestations related to VL, aggravated by COVID-19, she died two days after admission to the Clinical Hospital of Marilia Medical School (HC–Famema).

COVID-19 Infection: A Mozambican Case Study

“…Another interesting contribution about the COVID-19's epidemiological and demographic issues in Africa can be found. 14…”

Current Challenges in the Association between Canine Leishmaniasis and Malignant Disorders

“…Its etiology is largely unknown and believed to be multifactorial [2], genetic [3,4], auto-immune [5], hemoparasitic [6,7], and viral diseases [8]. The exact mechanism by which chronic inflammatory processes induce oncogenesis is still unclear, but persistent immunosuppression [9], epigenetic events [10], and relevant association with immunosenescence [11] have all been associated with neoplasm developments.…”