Visceral Leishmaniasis Mimicking Autoimmune Hepatitis

The document discussed two pediatric cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Sicily that initially mimicked autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), highlighting the diagnostic challenges. Both children presented with liver-related symptoms and were initially suspected of having AIH based on clinical features and autoimmune markers. However, further investigation revealed VL, confirmed by the presence of amastigotes in liver biopsies. The report emphasized the importance of considering infectious causes like VL in cases of suspected AIH, especially in endemic areas, and the potential pitfalls of relying solely on autoimmune hepatitis scoring systems for diagnosis. It underscored the necessity of thorough exclusion of infectious agents before initiating immunosuppressive therapy.