Diagnosis and Management of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Children: A French Retrospective Study - Summary - MDSpire

Diagnosis and Management of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Children: A French Retrospective Study

  • By

  • Justine de Larminat

  • Naïma Dahane

  • Nicolas Argy

  • Mahmoud Rifai

  • Olivier Haas Ferrua

  • Christelle Pomares

  • Nicolas Rasandisona Ravonjena

  • Damien Dupont

  • Jean-Philippe Lemoine

  • Sarah Dutron

  • Olivia Pineau

  • Philippe Picherit Steinbrucker

  • Thibault César

  • Séhomi Azohana

  • Sophie Guilmin-Crepon

  • Philippe Minodier

  • Irina Allouche

  • Mathie Lorrot

  • Christophe Ravel

  • Albert Faye

  • November 20, 2025

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To update data on clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of pediatric visceral leishmaniasis (VL) specifically in France.

Key Findings:
  • 63 pediatric VL cases were included, with a median age of 2 years and a male/female ratio of 1.25.
  • Common symptoms included fever (92%) and splenomegaly (78%).
  • High prevalence of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) at 44%.
  • Blood qPCR showed 96% positivity; combined blood and bone marrow PCR reached 100%.
  • Biological findings included inflammatory syndrome (90%), pancytopenia (79%), and hepatic cytolysis (52%).
  • All patients were treated with liposomal amphotericin B, with a median follow-up of 2.8 months.
Interpretation:

Pediatric VL remains rare in France, characterized by long diagnostic delays and frequent HLH, which may complicate management. Combined PCR testing enhances diagnostic accuracy.

Limitations:
  • Retrospective design may introduce bias, potentially affecting the reliability of findings.
  • Limited generalizability due to the study being conducted in a high-income country.
Conclusion:

Standardization of treatment regimens and follow-up is necessary to improve management of pediatric VL, and further research is needed to inform best practices.

Original Source(s)

Diagnosis and Management of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Children: A French Retrospective Study

  • by Justine de Larminat, Naïma Dahane, Nicolas Argy, Mahmoud Rifai, Olivier Haas Ferrua, Christelle Pomares, Nicolas Rasandisona Ravonjena, Damien Dupont, Jean-Philippe Lemoine, Sarah Dutron, Olivia Pineau, Philippe Picherit Steinbrucker, Thibault César, Séhomi Azohana, Sophie Guilmin-Crepon, Philippe Minodier, Irina Allouche, Mathie Lorrot, Christophe Ravel, Albert Faye

  • November 20, 2025

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