Visceral Leishmaniasis Masquerading as Drug-Induced Pancytopenia in Lung Cancer Patients

Curr Oncol. 2024 Apr 17;31(4):2274-2277. doi: 10.3390/curroncol31040168.ABSTRACTMaintenance chemotherapy is a standard treatment in patients with non-progressive advance staged IV non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer after induction therapy. Here, we report the case of a 53-year-old man undergoing a maintenance monotherapy with pemetrexed who presented prolonged pancytopenia despite filgrastim injections. A bone marrow aspiration revealed a macrophage activation syndrome with Leishmania amastigotes. A Polymerase Chest Reaction testing confirmed the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis. Treatment with liposomal amphotericin B was started. Oncologists should bear in mind that visceral leishmaniasis in endemic areas can potentially induce severe and prolonged pancytopenia in immunosuppressed patients, during chemotherapy in particular.PMID:38668071 | DOI:10.3390/curroncol31040168
Source: Current Oncology - Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Source Type: research