Síndrome de splenomegalia tropical: Presentación del primer caso confirmado en Colombia

Abstract

The first reported case of tropical splenomegaly syndrome in Colombia is described in a 9-year-old girl who had lived in the Macarena region of the Department of Meta. She had had recurrent P. vivax infection, splenomegaly of 10 cm. below the costal margin, anemia, cryoglobulinemia, increased serum IgM, inmunofluorescent antibody titers to P. falciparum of q:2, 560 and several thick blood smears negative for malaria parasites. Spleen biopsy showed a non-specific reactivity and  the external bone marrow aspiration was negative for any pathological changes or parasites. Reduction on both IgM values and splenomegaly and improvement on her clinical condition was seen with no specific antimalarial treatment after a period of observation of three months. Prohylactic treatment with chloroquine, 10 mg/kg of body weight on a weekly basis was established before returning to the endemic area of the Macarena region.