Case reports in gastrointestinal medicine
Cure8 research brief
Why This Matters
HLH is a rare but serious complication in immunosuppressed IBD patients; visceral leishmaniasis can trigger HLH and may be overlooked outside endemic areas. Early bone marrow assessment can speed diagnosis and treatment.
Who Should Pay Attention
Adults with Crohn’s disease on anti‑TNF therapy; gastroenterologists and infectious-disease clinicians managing immunosuppressed IBD patients.
Study Snapshot
Story typeResearch paper
Evidence typeResearch paper
Source depthJournal abstract
What To Know
This case report describes a 31‑year‑old man with Crohn’s disease on escalated anti‑TNFα therapy who developed persistent fever, pancytopenia, high ferritin and triglycerides, and systemic inflammation. Bone marrow examination identified hemophagocytosis and intracellular Leishmania amastigotes; serology confirmed visceral leishmaniasis.
Liposomal amphotericin B treatment led to rapid improvement and resolution of HLH. Anti‑TNFα was stopped and the patient was switched to an anti‑IL‑12/23 biologic for IBD maintenance.
Keep In Mind
Single case report summarized from the article abstract; not evidence of how often this occurs. Clinical decisions about biologic changes require specialist judgment.
Source Details
Review the original publication for the complete reporting, methods, and context.
Research paper
Evidence type derived from source or registry metadata.
PublicationCase reports in gastrointestinal medicine
AuthorsCaterina Pelligra, Lorenzo Bolis, Andrea Costantino +1 more
InstitutionDepartment of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, unimi.it.
Study typeJournal article
Indexed viaPubMed
Source typeResearch paper
PublishedJul 28, 2026, 12:00 AM
Content availableJournal abstract
Conflict statement: The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
This Cure8 brief is based on source text from the linked article. Cure8 is informational only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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