P. Marty et al., INFANTILE VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN THE D EPARTMENT OF ALPES-MARITIMES FROM 1985 TO 1992, Bulletin de la Societe de pathologie exotique et de ses filiales, 87(2), 1994, pp. 105-109
Here, we present an analysis of clinical and biological data from 15 i
nfantile visceral leishmaniasis recorded between 1985 and 1992 in the
French department of Alpes-Maritimes. The association of fever, spleno
megalia, tricytopenia remains the most constant and predictive of diag
nosis (90 % of cases). Bone marrow smear affirms diagnosis in 93 % of
cases. Leishmania infantum MON-1 is the causative agent. Except for on
e case of advanced stade with severe hepatic lesions and one case of c
linical resistance to Glucantime(R), prognosis is favourable under tre
atment with antimony derivatives. The long term results for children c
onsidered cured after initial treatment is satisfactory. In the depart
ment, the number of cases of combined ages has increased regularly sin
ce 1985. The number of infantile forms has increased but now represent
s nevertheless no more than 28 % of total cases. On the other hand, ca
ses are increasing in adults and 40 % of those adult cases are in HIV
positive patients.