Isolation and molecular characterization of Leishmania infantum in urine from patients with visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil.

Leishmania infantum is a protozoan that causes visceral leishmaniasis, a potentially deadly neglected tropical disease. The gold standard for diagnosis has traditionally been detection of amastigotes in bone marrow or spleen aspirates, but this is an invasive procedure that carries the risk of serious complications. Newer PCR techniques are opening new avenues and tissues for testing.

Molecular characterization of Leishmania infantum in domestic cats in a region of Brazil endemic for human and canine visceral leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a "neglected tropical disease" and serious public health issue in Brazil. While dogs are recognized as particularly important reservoirs, recent reports of domestic cats infected with Leishmania sp. in urban areas suggest their participation in the epidemiological chain of the parasite in endemic areas.