Visceral leishmaniasis in an adult with HIV infection

Abstract

We present the first case of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in a Spanish patient with HIV infection living in Belgium. After four weeks of stibogluconate and zidovudine treatment, the initially low CD4 count improved, and the splenomegaly regressed. VL is becoming frequently reported in association with HIV infection, especially in countries where leishmaniasis is endemic. The apparent effect of VL on the CD4 count may cause problems in the staging of HIV infections.