A case report of visceral leishmaniasis and malaria co-infection with pancytopenia and splenomegaly - a diagnostic challenge

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis and malaria are tropical diseases with more than half of the world population at risk of infection resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Co-infection of Leishmaniasis and malaria pose a great challenge in the diagnosis as well as overall management. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case report, we present a rare case of a 5 years old child hailing from non-endemic region of Nepal with history of fever for a period of 3 months who was diagnosed as co-infection of malaria due to Plasmodium vivax and visceral Leishmaniasis with pancytopenia that subsequently improved after a course of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion for a possibility of co-infection with Leishmaniasis and malaria should be borne in mind when an individual hailing from or having history of travel to endemic countries presents with prolonged fever.