Cases of visceral leishmaniasis in children: a difficult path to diagnosis
Journal: CHILDREN INFECTIONS
Year: 2026

This article presents two clinical cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in children under 5 years of age, one of which was complicated by hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS). Both cases illustrate the diagnostic challenges encountered in non-endemic regions, where VL may mimic malignancies, hematologic, or infectious diseases. The authors describe the diagnostic algorithm involving bone marrow microscopy, molecular (PCR) testing, and differential diagnosis. The treatment strategies included amphoteric