Asymptomatic Leishmania infection in HIV-positive outpatients on antiretroviral therapy in Pernambuco, Brazil.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in HIV-positive individuals is a global health problem. HIV-Leishmania coinfection worsens prognosis and mortality risk, and HIV-Leishmania coinfected individuals are more susceptible to VL relapses. Early initiation of antiretroviral therapy can protect against Leishmania infection in individuals living in VL-endemic areas, and regular use of antiretrovirals might prevent VL relapses in these individuals.

Case Report: Severe Visceral Leishmaniasis in a Patient with HIV Coinfection Undergoing Treatment for Erythema Nodosum Leprosum.

We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis (VL)/HIV coinfection in a patient undergoing regular antiretroviral therapy and treatment with thalidomide for erythema nodosum leprosum. He presented at a health service with high fever, chills, asthenia, pale skin, lower limb edema, hepatomegaly, and splenomegaly. Visceral leishmaniasis was confirmed by direct examination, and serological and molecular tests.

Higher levels of TNF and IL-4 cytokines and low miR-182 expression in visceral leishmaniasis-HIV co-infected patients.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to assess serum cytokine and miRNA expression in visceral leishmaniasis-HIV (VL-HIV) co-infection and HIV mono-infection.

Methods And Results: We analysed 113 serum samples from HIV patients in areas endemic for leishmaniasis. The diagnosis of VL was confirmed in 65 of these 113 samples.

SLC11A1 (rs3731865) polymorphism and susceptibility to visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-coinfected patients from Northeastern Brazil.

Following the emergence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), the number of visceral leishmaniasis-HIV (VL-HIV) coinfections has increased worldwide, mainly in Brazil. The development of clinical forms of VL can be influenced by nutritional status, age, and host genetic factors, which are important variables determining susceptibility to disease. There are no studies with a candidate gene approach assayed directly in the VL-HIV-coinfected population.