Splenectomy in a patient with treatment-resistant visceral leishmaniasis: a case report

Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

Robson Azevedo Dutra¹  Laura Ferreira Dutra¹  Milene De Oliveira Reis¹  Raul Coelho Lambert¹ 

[1] ,Santa Casa de Franca Departamento de Cirurgia Pediátrica Franca SP

关键词: Splenectomy;    Leishmaniasis;    Hypersplenism;    Esplenectomia;    Leishmaniose;    Hiperesplenismo;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0037-86822012000100027

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as Kala-azar, is a systemic infection caused by a protozoan (Leishmania) and, in its classic form, is a serious illness associated with malnutrition, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly, infectious processes and coagulopathies. The effect of splenectomy in patients with visceral leishmaniasis is not well defined; however, it is known that the spleen is the largest reservoir of infected cells belonging to the reticulo endothelial system. Therefore, the surgical procedure is an option for the debulking of parasites, providing a cure for refractory VL and minimizing the complications of hypersplenism.

【 授权许可】

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