Clinical Study

Visceral Leishmaniasis with Associated Common, Uncommon, and Atypical Morphological Features on Bone Marrow Aspirate Cytology in Nonendemic Region

Table 2

Common hematological and bone marrow findings observed in leishmaniasis.

Number of casesPercentage of cases (%)

Peripheral blood smear
Pancytopenia2696.2
Anemia27100
Leucopenia2696.2
Thrombocytopenia2696.2
Others (agglutination, fragmented RBC, or Rouleaux formation)2592.5
Bone marrow aspirate cytology
Increased histiocytes27100
Plasmacytosis2696.2
Erythroid hyperplasia2281.4
Distribution of LD bodies
 Intrahistiocytic only0000
 Extrahistiocytic only013.7
 Mixed2696.2
Hemophagocytosis (mild to moderate)1970.3
Average parasite density (1-2+)2488.8
Bone marrow biopsy (total 19 cases)
Increased cellularity0526
Increased vascularity0631.5