Visceral leishmaniasis

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis results from spread of the Leishmania sp. protozoa including L. donovani, L. chagasi, and L. infantum throughout the organs of the reticuloendothelial system. The disease is associated with splenic, hepatic, gastrointestinal, and hematologic manifestations. A new form of visceralizing leishmaniasis, termed viscerotropic leishmaniasis, was first recognized in Persian Gulf veterans who were infected with L. tropica. Resolution of visceral leishmaniasis requires both appropriate chemotherapy and an adequate cellular immune response. Thus, there has been a recent increase in visceral leishmaniasis due to coinfection with HIV and L. infantum in southern European countries.