Acta clinica Croatica, Vol. 64. No. 1, 2025.
Book review
https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.01.20
Endonasal Leishmaniasis in a Frozen Section Biopsy Specimen
Alma Demirović
orcid.org/0000-0002-2870-1779
; University Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
*
Marko Grgić
; Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Božo Krušlin
; University Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
Davor Tomas
orcid.org/0000-0003-3390-8683
; University Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; University of Zagreb, School of Medicine, Zagreb, Croatia
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
We present a case of endonasal leishmaniasis diagnosed on a frozen section biopsy
specimen obtained from a 47-year-old woman treated with corticosteroids and anti-TNFα for rheumatoid
arthritis. Similar cases of isolated mucosal leishmaniasis have not yet been reported in Croatia.
Microscopic analysis of the biopsy specimen sent for frozen sections revealed Leishmania amastigotes in
macrophages infiltrating nasal mucosa. Subsequent communication with the referring clinician revealed
that the patient had been diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis 13 years prior to current biopsy. Thus, the
present nasal lesion was interpreted as a solitary lesion related to reactivation of the previous infection.
She received liposomal amphotericin B which led to prompt amelioration of the lesion. As shown in the
present case, clinical presentation of leishmaniasis is unspecific and can mimic many other conditions,
especially in the setting of concomitant immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory treatment. It is important
to be aware of this entity in order to treat such patients properly.
Keywords
Biopsy; Immunosuppressive treatment; Nasal leishmaniasis; Visceral leishmaniasis reactivation
Hrčak ID:
335782
URI
Publication date:
31.3.2025.
Visits: 244 *