COLONIC LEISHMANIASIS IN AN HIV PATIENT - UNUSUAL VASCULAR-LESIONS

Patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome are often susceptible to atypical dissemination of visceral leishmaniasis. Digestive locali zations seem to be relatively frequent. Colonic localizations reported in the literature are endoscopically normal or show superficial mucos al lesions. We describe an original case of leishmaniasis associated w ith a colonic pseudotumoral stenosis with perforated ulcer penetrating in the mesocolon. Striking inflammation of mesenteric blood vessels, even far from the ulcer, suggested an ischemic mechanism for the colon ic stenosis. These findings raise the hypothesis that vasculitis is se condary to mucosal parasitic infection.