Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37131489›Full record

ArticleIDCases2023

Visceral leishmaniasis in Kosovo: A case of misdiagnosis and diagnostic challenges.

Ilir Tolaj, Murat Mehmeti, Hatixhe Gashi, Fjorda Berisha, Visar Gashi, Hajrullah Fejza, Nexhmedin Shala

Open access · goldAbstract readCase Reports
In one paragraph

Article in IDCases, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
0.3field-weighted citation impact, top 42% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 2 institutions in 1 country.

Ilir TolajDepartment of Infectious Diseases, Medical Faculty, University of Pristina, Pristina, Kosovo.
Murat MehmetiDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre, Pristina, Kosovo.
Hatixhe GashiDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre, Pristina, Kosovo.
Fjorda BerishaDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre, Pristina, Kosovo.
Visar GashiDepartment of Infectious Diseases, University Clinical Centre, Pristina, Kosovo.
Hajrullah FejzaUBT, Pristina, Kosovo.
Nexhmedin ShalaDepartment of Neurology, Medical Faculty, University of Pristina, Pristina, Kosovo.
University Clinical Center of Kosovo · XKUniversity for Business and Technology · XK

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease caused by various Leishmania species and is a potentially life-threatening condition. The disease is highly endemic in several regions, including the Balkans, yet information regarding its prevalence in Kosovo is limited. Case presentation: In this case presentation, a 62-year-old man was admitted to a hospital in Kosovo due to a persistent high fever, and after extensive evaluations and treatments, he was diagnosed with fever of unknown origin (FUO) and transferred to a hospital in Turkey. An abscess of the psoas muscle caused by MRSA was found, however, pancytopenia persisted despite antibiotic treatment. Six months later, the patient was hospitalized again due to fever, chills, and night sweats. Microscopic examination and serological tests revealed the presence of Leishmania infantum in the bone marrow. Liposomal amphotericin B treatment resulted in a significant improvement in the patient's condition. Discussion: The diagnosis of VL can be challenging, and it can easily be misdiagnosed as other diseases, resulting in diagnostic delays and potentially fatal outcomes. In endemic regions such as the Balkans, it is crucial for physicians to be aware of this infection to avoid misdiagnosis or diagnostic delay. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment of VL are essential in preventing morbidity and mortality. Conclusion: This case highlights the significance of considering VL as a possible diagnosis in patients presenting with febrile illnesses accompanied by pancytopenia and splenomegaly, especially in endemic regions.

Indexed as

KosovoMisdiagnosisVisceral leishmaniasis

Identifiers

PMID37131489
PMCPMC10149197
OpenAlexW4365142839

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.