Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Twin Pregnancy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), often referred to as kala-azar, is quite rare in developed countries during pregnancy. Only few studies have evaluated its impact on perinatal outcome. It is caused primarily by Leishmania donovani or Leishmania infantum and presents with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations from cutaneous ulcers to multisystem disease. Differential diagnosis is challenging as symptoms and signs are insidious, mimicking other diseases. Misdiagnosis can result in severe adverse perinatal outcomes, even maternal/neonatal death. Early treatment with liposomal amphotericin-B (LAmB) is currently the first choice with adequate effectiveness. We report a rare case of VL in a twin pregnancy with onset at the second trimester, presenting with periodic fever with rigors, right flank pain, and gradual dysregulation of all three cell lines. The positive rK39 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay test confirmed the diagnosis. Treatment with LAmB resulted in clinical improvement within 48 h and in the delivery of two late-preterm healthy neonates with no symptoms or signs of vertical transmission. The one-year follow-up, of the mother and the neonates, was negative for recurrence. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of VL in a twin pregnancy, and consequently treatment and perinatal outcome are of great importance.