[Leishmaniasis and human immunodeficiency virus infections]

Abstract

The epidemiological, clinical and biological features of associated visceral leishmaniasis/human immunodeficiency virus infection are examined on the basis of a literature review of 239 published cases. The co-infection is principally located in Southern Europe, mainly in Spain, France and Italy. The study of restricted cohorts of patients showed that co-infection occurs in about 2 to 7% of AIDS patients. A part from the classical symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis, atypical or unusual symptoms (cutaneous, digestive or pulmonary) are described in about 10% of the cases. The parasite is occasionally found in blood and normal skin. Visceral leishmaniasis is frequently associated with other opportunistic diseases. Nine different zymodemes of Leishmania infantum, including two new ones, have been isolated from co-infected patients. There have also been a few cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis associated with AIDS.