Successful treatment of visceral leishmaniasis in Finnish-type congenital nephrotic syndrome

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease endemic in the Mediterranean Basin, including Malta. Finnish-type congenital nephrotic syndrome is an autosomal recessive condition that presents in the first 3 months of life with heavy proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia with secondary edema, and hyperlipidemia. We present an infant with congenital nephrotic syndrome who had had unilateral nephrectomy and who also developed visceral leishmaniasis. He was successfully cleared of the infection by the administration of sodium stibogluconate, with no deterioration of renal function or other complications.