Auxiliary diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis with metagenomic next-generation sequencing: a case report / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

ABSTRACT

This case report summarizes the experience from diagnosis and treatment of a patient with repeated high fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia. Following exclusion of bacterial, viral, fungal infections and hematological diseases, metagenomic next-generation sequencing of the patient’s peripheral blood revealed Leishmania infantum infection, and rK39 rapid diagnostic test showed positive for anti-Leishmania antibody, while microscopic examination of bone marrow smears identified Leishmania amastigotes. Therefore, the case was definitively diagnosed as visceral leishmaniasis, and given anti-infective treatment with sodium antimony gluconate and hormone, hepatoprotection, elevation of white blood cell counts and personalized nursing. Then, the case was cured and discharged from hospital. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing is of great value in etiological detection of fever patients with unknown causes, which deserves widespread clinical applications.