VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS

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