MedWorm: HIV-Leishmania Co-infection

Leishmaniasis and Rheumatoid Nodulosis in a Patient with HIV Infection.

Actas Dermo-Sifiliograficas — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We describe the case of a 44-year-old homosexual man diagnosed with HIV infection and visceral leishmaniasis. He presented nodules on the dorsum of the hands. Histological study of one of the nodules revealed necrobiotic palisading granulomas with abundant Leishmania amastigotes within the histiocytes and in the adjacent extracellular space. Tissue and peripheral blood cultures were positive for Leishmania infantum, zymodeme MON-24. A biopsy of healthy skin did not reveal the presence of Leishmania. A diagnosis of rheumatoid nodulosis with Leishmania was made and treatment was started with intravenous liposomal amphotericin, leading to slight improvement. We believe that the presence of the parasite within the nodules was the result of its dissemination during visceral leishmaniasis in an ...

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Autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patient: the first in thailand and review of the literature.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0100

We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected 37-year-old Thai fisherman who presented with nephritonephrotic syndrome, fever, anemia, and thrombocytopenia. Bone marrow biopsy revealed many amastigotes within macrophages. Kidney biopsy showed membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nucleotide sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene in blood and kidney biopsy specimens showed Leishmania species previously described in a Thai patient with visceral leishmaniasis. Only four autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis have been reported in Thailand since 1996. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in an HIV-i...

Cryptic Leishmania infantum infection in Italian HIV infected patients

BMC Infectious Diseases — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: In our area a considerable proportion of HIV infected patients are asymptomatic carriers of L. infantum infection. A relationship between high HIV viral load and high parasitemic burden, possibly related to a higher risk of developing symptomatic disease, is suggested. PCR could be used for periodic screening of HIV patients to individuate those with higher risk of reactivation of L. infantum infection. (Source: BMC Infectious Diseases)

Co-Infection of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and HIV: report of a case of mucosal leishmaniasis in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0100

We describe the first case of Leishmania/HIV co-infection reported in Bolivia. Initially hospitalized with a diagnosis of pneumonia and bronchitis, the patient had numerous cutaneous and mucosal lesions caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis. The patient was also diagnosed as severely immunocompromised because of HIV infection. PMID: 19815865 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene)

AA-amyloidosis caused by visceral leishmaniasis in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient.

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:15:15 +0100

Authors: de Vallière S, Mary C, Joneberg JE, Rotman S, Bullani R, Greub G, Gillmore JD, Buffet PA, Tarr PE AA-amyloidosis in the setting of chronic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been reported in animal models but documentation in humans is unavailable. Here, we report on a Portuguese man who in 1996 was diagnosed with both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection and VL. Antiretroviral treatment led to sustained suppression of HIV viremia but CD4+ lymphocytes rose from 8 to only 160 cells/mL. Several courses of antimony treatment did not prevent VL relapses. Renal failure developed in 2006 and renal biopsy revealed AA-amyloidosis. The patient had cryoglobulinemia and serum immune complexes containing antibodies directed against seven leishmanial antigens. Antimony plus ampho...

Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis in HIV.

Dermatol Online J — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 15:31:04 +0100

We report a rare case from South India of diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis masquerading as lepromatous leprosy in the context of HIV infection. PMID: 19450402 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Dermatol Online J)

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Cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Tigray, northern Ethiopia: clinical aspects and therapeutic concerns

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:03:01 +0100

This study enrolled 167 patients presenting different forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis over an 18 month period, of which 5.6% tested HIV positive. Patients were initially treated with meglumine antimonate and resistant cases with pentamidine isethionate. There was a high rate of resistance to meglumine antimonate (28%) and a less than optimal response to prolonged systemic treatment in relapsed cases. Eight patients affected by severe and resistant forms were treated with pentamidine isethionate, with a cure rate of 87.5% after 6 months. Many atypical and severe presentations were seen, and a poor response to first-line antileishmanial drugs was observed. Resistance to antimonials is of concern and cost-effective therapeutic schemes need to be developed. The cost-effectiveness of pentamidi...

Atypical manifestations of tegumentary leishmaniasis in a transmission area of Leishmania braziliensis in the state of Bahia, Brazil

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:03:01 +0100

Summary: American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) can occur in different forms, classically categorised as cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucosal leishmaniasis, diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis and disseminated leishmaniasis. We analysed the presence of atypical manifestations (vegetative, verrucous, crusted and lupoid) among a cohort of patients presenting to the Health Post of Corte de Pedra, Bahia, Brazil. Among 1396 patients diagnosed with ATL in 2005–2006, 35 patients (2.5%) presented with atypical manifestations of the disease. Of these patients, 14 were pregnant women, 2 were co-infected with HIV and 19 had no co-morbidity or other apparent risk factors for the development of atypical ATL. The latter 19 patients were the focus of this study. They were predominantly adult males, frequentl...

Prevalence of Leishmania infection in adult HIV/AIDS patients treated in a tertiary-level care center in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:03:01 +0100

Summary: In order to estimate the magnitude of Leishmania/HIV co-infection, patients with HIV/AIDS at the Brasilia University Hospital, DF, Brazil were used as subjects in a cross-sectional study. One hundred and sixty-three patients were enrolled, seven of whom had visceral leishmaniasis (VL). One hundred and twelve patients (68.7%) were men; 155 (95.1%) had been exposed to HIV infection through unprotected sex. The median age was 37 years (range: 20–74) and the median CD4+ lymphocyte count was 314cells/μl (range: 2–1600). Symptomatic patients underwent bone marrow evaluations through direct examination of Giemsa-stained films, parasite culture and PCR assay. Blood samples were evaluated by means of an indirect immunofluorescent antibody test (IFAT), an ELISA using a soluble antigen ...

Mucosal leishmaniasis: description of case management approaches and analysis of risk factors for treatment failure in a cohort of 140 patients in Brazil

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology — Mon, 04 May 2009 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion The current first-line mucosal leishmaniasis therapy shows an adequate cure but later recurrence. HIV infection and systemic arterial hypertension should be investigated before start the treatment of mucosal leishmaniasis. The authors are not part of any associations or commercial relationships that might represent conflicts of interest in the writing of this study (e.g. pharmaceutical stock ownership, consultancy, advisory board membership, relevant patents, or research funding). (Source: Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology)

Isolation of Leishmania amastigote protein fractions which induced lymphocyte stimulation and remission of psoriasis

Archives of Dermatological Research — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 07:04:15 +0100

Abstract A first generation polyvalent vaccine (AS1001) was manufactured with protein from several cultured leishmania species, which proved to be effective in the treatment of psoriasis. To determine the effective factor, a single blind trial with four monovalent second generation vaccines (AS1002) was done in 26 subjects, which also resulted in remission of psoriasis. AS1002 vaccines were further purified, resulting in seven chromatography fractions (AS200) per species. In vitro testing of the fractions on blood lymphocytes resulted in subjects being categorized as low or high responders before treatment. Both responder groups had no statistical difference in clinical outcome after AS1001 treatment. Subsequently, a single-blind trial in 55 subjects treated with AS200 fracti...

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Prevalence of Leishmania infection in adult HIV/AIDS patients treated in a tertiary-level care center in Brasilia, Federal District, Brazil.

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Carranza-Tamayo CO, Assis TS, Neri AT, Cupolillo E, Rabello A, Romero GA In order to estimate the magnitude of Leishmania/HIV co-infection, patients with HIV/AIDS at the Brasilia University Hospital, DF, Brazil were used as subjects in a cross-sectional study. One hundred and sixty-three patients were enrolled, seven of whom had visceral leishmaniasis (VL). One hundred and twelve patients (68.7%) were men; 155 (95.1%) had been exposed to HIV infection through unprotected sex. The median age was 37 years (range: 20-74) and the median CD4+ lymphocyte count was 314cells/mul (range: 2-1600). Symptomatic patients underwent bone marrow evaluations through direct examination of Giemsa-stained films, parasite culture and PCR assay. Blood samples were evaluated by means of an indirect ...

Unusual manifestations of tegumentary leishmaniasis in AIDS patients from the New World.

The British Journal of Dermatology — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusions Clinical manifestations of tegumentary leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients are diverse. Our data emphasize possible unusual manifestations of this disease in HIV-infected patients, particularly in severely immunosuppressed cases (< 200 CD4+ cells mm(-3)). PMID: 19187345 [PubMed - in process] (Source: The British Journal of Dermatology)

Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis: Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 04:12:33 +0100

We report the case due to its atypical, widespread muco-cutaneous presentation masquerading as lepromatous leprosy. (Source: Indian Journal of Dermatology, Venereology and Leprology)

Fighting Against Leishmaniasis: Search of Alkaloids as Future True Potential Anti-Leishmanial Agents.

Mini Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 05:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mishra BB, Singh RK, Srivastava A, Tripathi VJ, Tiwari VK Leishmaniasis, a group of tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites of genus Leishmania, is a major health problem worldwide that affects millions of people especially in the developing nations. Generic pentavalent antimonials have been the mainstay for therapy in the endemic regions due to efficacy and cost effectiveness, but the growing incidence of their resistance has seriously hampered their use. In many cases the drugs employed for the treatment are toxic, marginally effective, given by injection and, compromised by the development of resistance. Therefore, the development of new mechanism based safe, effective and affordable chemotherapeutic agents to fight leishmaniasis would be an urgent priority research...

Cutaneous leishmaniasis associated with visceral leishmaniasis in a case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

International Journal of Dermatology — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 05:00:00 +0100

Conclusion Our case demonstrated that it is better to evaluate the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in patients who present with cutaneous leishmaniasis and HIV infection. (Source: International Journal of Dermatology)

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HIV Protease Inhibitors Active Against Leishmania Species

Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 18:00:22 +0100

In vitro studies show that the intracellular survival of Leishmania species that cause the opportunistic disease visceral leishmaniasis is significantly reduced by HIV-1 protease inhibitors, Canadian and Indian researchers report in the November issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases. Reuters Health Information (Source: Medscape Infectious Diseases Headlines)

Alkaloids: Future prospective to combat leishmaniasis.

Fitoterapia — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Mishra BB, Kale RR, Singh RK, Tiwari VK Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne parasitic disease resulting from infection of macrophages by obligate intracellular parasites of genus Leishmania, has been considered a major tropical disease by the World Health Organization. Generic pentavalent antimonials have been the mainstay for therapy in the endemic regions because of its efficacy and cost effectiveness. However, the growing incidence of resistance for the pentavalent antimony complex in endemic and non-endemic regions has seriously hampered their use in these regions. The second line drugs such as amphotericin B, paromomycin and miltefosine are the other alternatives, but they merely fulfill the desired requirements of a safe drug. The recent researches focused on plants have shown...

Chembio Diagnostics, Inc.: Chembio and Oswaldo Cruz Foundation Sign Agreement for DPP(R) Oral Fluid - Whole Blood HIV Test

Market Wire - Pharmaceuticals and Biotech — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 12:45:00 +0100

MEDFORD, NY and RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL (MARKET WIRE) Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. (OTCBB: CEMI) ("Chembio" or the "Company") and the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation of Brazil ("FIOCRUZ") today announced the completion of a technology transfer supply and license agreement for Chembio's DPP® HIV 1-2 rapid test for use with oral fluid or whole blood samples. This product has been developed by Chembio with its patented Dual Path Platform (DPP®) technology. As previously announced in January, Chembio and FIOCRUZ also executed similar agreements for DPP® rapid tests for Leishmania and Leptospirosis, and a third agreement for a multiplex (Source: Market Wire - Pharmaceuticals and Biotech)

HIV, visceral leishmaniasis and Parkinsonism combined with diabetes mellitus and hyperuricaemia: a case report

Cases Journal — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Conclusion: The increasing incidence of HIV/VL co-infection in India is of utmost importance. The diagnostic and management aspects of these cases are very difficult to handle particularly in an underdeveloped country like India. (Source: Cases Journal)

Nephrotic syndrome complicating chronic visceral leishmaniasis: re-emergence in patients with AIDS.

Clinical Nephrology — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:00:00 +0100

We present a patient with AIDS and refractory, relapsing visceral leishmaniasis who developed nephrotic syndrome associated with renal involvement by Leishmania in the absence of immunecomplex glomerular deposition. For the first time, the relapsing nature of renal injury in this context is documented. PMID: 18793552 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Clinical Nephrology)

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Natural antibodies target virus-antibody complexes to organized lymphoid tissue.

Autoimmunity Reviews — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Matter MS, Ochsenbein AF Natural antibodies (NA) specific for infectious pathogens are found at low titer (usually <1:40) in the serum of healthy, non-immunized, individuals. Therefore, NA are part of the first line of defence against blood borne microorganisms. They directly neutralize viral infections or lyse pathogens by activating the complement cascade. In addition, recent studies highlighted their role in the pooling of infectious pathogens and other antigens to the spleen. This prevents infection of vital target organs and enhances the induction of adaptive immune responses. Specific T and B-cell responses are exclusively induced in highly organized secondary lymphoid organs including lymph nodes and the spleen. As a consequence, mice with disrupted microorganisation...

Leishmaniases in Northern Greece: seroprevalence of the infection and incidence of the disease during the period 2001–2006

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:58:38 +0100

Abstract Increasing risk factors are making leishmaniases a growing public health concern for many countries around the world. The aim of this study was to assess the seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum infection in the general population and in HIV infected subjects of Northern Greece, bordering the Mediterranean basin where leishmaniasis is endemic. The clinical cases of the disease during the last 6 years (2001–2006) are also presented. A low frequency of L. infantum antibodies was found by IFA and ELISA in 1,525 healthy individuals (2.8%), aged 18–80 years, living in the 16 prefectures of Northern Greece (Macedonia and Thrace regions), and in 167 HIV positive subjects (0.6%). Fifty-seven clinical cases were diagnosed in the same area and an approximate annual...

[Cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major involving the bone marrow in an AIDS patient in Burkina Faso]

Annales de Dermatologie et de Cenereologie — Thu, 01 May 2008 04:00:00 +0100

DISCUSSION: L. major is the Leishmania species identified in Burkina Faso. It is responsible for typical cutaneous leishmaniasis but particular clinical forms have been described in immunodeficient patients, especially with diffuse cutaneous involvement. The spread of L. major infection to bone marrow could represent a public health problem in our country, where the HIV epidemic is still not under control, and particular vigilance is thus called for. PMID: 18457724 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Annales de Dermatologie et de Cenereologie)

Leishmaniasis, Suriname.

Emerging Infectious Diseases — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:51:14 +0100

Authors: van der Meide W, de Vries H, Pratlong F, van der Wal A, Sabajo L To the Editor: A 17-year-old man was seen at the Dermatology Service in Paramaribo (Suriname) with a skin condition that he had had since he was 5 years of age. The condition consisted of multiple cutaneous ulcerations, nodules, and fibrotic plaques disseminated on his face, limbs, and trunk, and subcutaneous nodules on lymph-draining tracts on his hands, arms, and legs. He had lived his entire life in an inland village, located at Brokopondo Lake (central-eastern Suriname); he had never traveled outside the country. The diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL, a parasitic disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania) was presumed. The patient received pentamidine therapy in 1997, 1998, and 2005, but without sustai...

The relationship between leishmaniasis and AIDS: the second 10 years.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Alvar J, Aparicio P, Aseffa A, Den Boer M, Cañavate C, Dedet JP, Gradoni L, Ter Horst R, López-Vélez R, Moreno J To date, most Leishmania and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection cases reported to WHO come from Southern Europe. Up to the year 2001, nearly 2,000 cases of coinfection were identified, of which 90% were from Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal. However, these figures are misleading because they do not account for the large proportion of cases in many African and Asian countries that are missed due to a lack of diagnostic facilities and poor reporting systems. Most cases of coinfection in the Americas are reported in Brazil, where the incidence of leishmaniasis has spread in recent years due to overlap with major areas of HIV transmission. I...

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Post-kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis and Uveitis in an HIV-positive Patient

Infection — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:33:51 +0100

Content Type Journal ArticleCategory CorrespondenceDOI 10.1007/s15010-007-6279-5Authors A. Ramos, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Dept. of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases Unit), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro San Martín de Porres 4 28035 Madrid SpainI. Cruz, Carlos III Health Institute Laboratory of Leishmania, Mycrobiology National Centre Madrid SpainE. Muñez, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Dept. of Internal Medicine (Infectious Diseases Unit), Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro San Martín de Porres 4 28035 Madrid SpainC. Salas, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Dept. of Pathology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Madrid SpainA. Fernández, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid Dept. of Ophthalmology, Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro Madrid SpainT. Alvar...

Mediterranean leishmaniasis in HIV-infected patients: Epidemiological, clinical, and diagnostic features of 22 cases

Infection — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 16:45:46 +0100

Summary Twenty-two Italian HIV-infected patients developed leishmaniasis, clinically manifested as visceral (13 cases), cutaneous (2 cases) and disseminated disease (7 cases). Twenty were males and two females (mean age: 32.8 years) with a mean CD4+ cell count of 46.8/μl at diagnosis; risk factors were intravenous drug use (17 patients) and sexual behaviour (two bisexual, two homosexual, one heterosexual). All but one patient lived or travelled in hypoendemic Italian regions and other Mediterranean countries. Apart from the two patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, the clinico-pathological and biological spectrum of the infection was often atypical, especially in patients with disseminated disease. The diagnosis was routinely made by direct recovery of parasites in biolo...

Gingival leishmaniasis in an HIV-negative patient.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontics — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 04:00:00 +0100

We report a case involving the palate, uvula, and gingiva of an HIV-negative patient who was initially diagnosed as having paracoccidioidomycosis. The patient underwent a biopsy for parasite isolation and in situ histopathology and immunohistochemistry. The Leishmania spp. were detected in lesions of the uvula and gingiva. Despite the poor state of teeth, the gingival lesions were caused by American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL). The gingival lesions presented an intense inflammatory infiltrate permeated by neutrophils. Immunohistochemistry revealed a predominantly lymphocytic infiltrate. The patient responded well to treatment, with no reactivation during follow-up. The rarity of gingival involvement in immunocompetent patients and the need for inclusion of ATL in the differential diagn...

Interleukin-2: Lack of immune recovery and increased Leishmania DNA levels in a patient with HIV and Leishmania coinfection: case report

Reactions — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 13:20:47 +0100

(Source: Reactions)

Interleukin-2: Lack of immune recovery and increased Leishmania DNA levels in a patient with HIV and Leishmania coinfection: case report.

Reactions Weekly — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 00:32:15 +0100

Page: 17 (Source: Reactions Weekly)

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Consequences of the natural propensity of Leishmania and HIV-1 to target dendritic cells.

Trends in Parasitology — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Garg R, Trudel N, Tremblay MJ Recent studies have shown that both Leishmania and HIV type-1 (HIV-1) hijack dendritic cell (DC) functions to escape immune surveillance using an array of elaborate strategies. Leishmania has developed a variety of adaptations to disrupt cellular defense mechanisms, whereas HIV-1 targets DCs to achieve a more efficient dissemination. The capacity of Leishmania and HIV-1 to target DCs through a common cell-surface molecule, namely DC-SIGN (dendritic cell specific ICAM-3-grabbing non-integrin), points to a possible dangerous liaison between these two pathogens. This review explores our knowledge of how Leishmania and HIV-1 interact dynamically with DCs, and how they exploit this cell type for their reciprocal benefit. PMID: 17531536 [PubMed - in...

[Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV infection in the HAART era]

Acta Medica Portuguesa — Sun, 01 Jul 2007 04:00:00 +0100

Authors: Marques N, Cabral S, Sá R, Coelho F, Oliveira J, Saraiva da Cunha JG, Meliço Silvestre A Visceral Leishmaniasis is an endemic infection in Portugal, as well as in other Mediterranean basin countries, where it has become a frequent complication of HIV infection. There are several studies published about Leishmania/HIV co-infection, however some particularities of its epidemiology, pathogenesis and especially of its treatment and prophylaxis remain unclear and undefined. The authors review some aspects of this co-infection, particularly epidemiology, clinical classic manifestations and laboratory features, diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis and prevention and report the casuistic of the Infectious Diseases Department of the University Hospital of Coimbra during the last...

Volume 44, number 12: Clinical Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction Performed on Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Samples for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Visceral Leishmaniasis in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Patients: A Single-Center, 8-Year Experience in Italy and Review of the Literature

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue — Mon, 21 May 2007 17:21:42 +0100

Conclusions. PCR assay is a highly sensitive and specific tool for the diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients and can be reliably used for rapid parasite identification at the species level. (Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Issue)

Lack of immune recovery in HIV/Leishmania co-infection treated with human recombinant IL-2.

AIDS — Fri, 18 May 2007 01:59:17 +0100

Page: 1223DOI: 10.1097/QAD.0b013e32810c8d27Authors: Bossolasco, Simona; Nozza, Silvia; Gaiera, Giovanni; Bestetti, Arabella; Lazzarin, Adriano; Cinque, Paola (Source: AIDS)

Clinical Use of Polymerase Chain Reaction Performed on Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Samples for the Diagnosis and Monitoring of Visceral Leishmaniasis in HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Patients: A Single-Center, 8-Year Experience in Italy and Review of the Literature

Clinical Infectious Diseases Latest Articles — Mon, 07 May 2007 21:05:54 +0100

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CCR5 and CCR3 expression on T CD3+ lymphocytes from HIV/ Leishmania co-infected subjects

Medical Microbiology and Immunology — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 07:04:04 +0100

This study aimed to assess the expression of CCR5 and CCR3 on peripheral blood CD3+ T lymphocytes of HIV-Leishmania co-infected individuals. A total of 36 subjects were enrolled; nine had HIV-Leishmania co-infection; nine were HIV-infected without Leishmania, nine had visceral leishmaniasis without HIV co-infection and nine were healthy blood donors. HIV-Leishmania co-infected subjects showed a significantly higher rate of CCR5+CD3+ T lymphocytes in comparison with the other studied groups. The higher rate of CD3+ T-cells expressing CCR5 found in HIV-Leishmania co-infected subjects may be related to the role of Leishmania as an enhancer of the progression to AIDS. Content TypeJournal Article JournalMedical Microbiology and ImmunologyOnline ISSN 1432-1831Print ISSN 0300-8584 (Sour...

[Correction] Leishmaniasis

Postgraduate Medical Journal — Fri, 16 Feb 2007 07:00:00 +0100

Epidemiology, disease patterns, immunology, diagnosis, treatment and control measures of leishmaniasis are described. Various issues relating to leishmaniasis are highlighted: the relative lack of importance given to this disease compared with other infections, climate change and its possible impact on extension of endemicity of this infection, and new diagnostic tests which are improving diagnosis, especially in resource poor areas. Other important aspects discussed include the potential for newer oral therapy to change the way this disease is managed; Leishmania–HIV coinfection and groups at risk; and development of an effective vaccine. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)

Oral ulcer as an unusual feature of visceral leishmaniasis in an AIDS patient

Indian Journal of Medical Sciences — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 18:55:01 +0100

We report a 35-year-old homemaker infected with the human immunodeficiency virus; she presented with an oral ulcer. The investigations carried out on her revealed that she was afflicted by visceral leishmaniasis, and the oral ulceration was a part of the same. This is only the second such case from the Indian subcontinent, and more significantly from a non-endemic area. (Source: Indian Journal of Medical Sciences)

Central role of interleukin-15 in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients with visceral leishmaniasis.

Acta Tropica — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 16:09:02 +0100

Authors: d'Ettorre G, Ceccarelli G, Carnevalini M, Forcina G, Zaffiri L, Massetti AP, Mastroianni CM, Vullo V To evaluate clinical and immunological parameters, interleukin (IL)-15 production and outcome of patients with visceral leishmaniasis (VL), including HIV positive patients, we analyzed 48 cases of VL. Clinical manifestations and response to therapy were similar in VL/HIV- and VL/HIV+ patients. However, relapses were more frequent in patients with HIV infection. Low levels of IL-15 concentrations were found in HIV+ patients without VL. These levels were comparable to concentrations obtained in healthy donors. We found a relationship between response to therapy and IL-15 levels. We found increased levels of IL-15 in VL/HIV- and VL/HIV+ patients with clinical and parasitological r...

[Reviews] Leishmaniasis

Postgraduate Medical Journal — Thu, 26 Oct 2006 06:00:00 +0100

Epidemiology, disease patterns, immunology, diagnosis, treatment and control measures of leishmaniasis are described. Various issues relating to leishmaniasis are highlighted: the relative lack of importance given to this disease is compared with other infections, climate change and its possible effect on extension of endemicity of this infection, and new diagnostic tests that are helping better diagnosis, especially in resource-poor areas. Other important aspects discussed include the potential for newer oral treatment to change the way this disease is managed; leishmania–HIV coinfection and groups at risk; and the development of an effective vaccine. (Source: Postgraduate Medical Journal)

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CORRESPONDENCE: Leishmania major Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in HIV-Positive Patients Does Not Spread to Extralesional Sites

Archives of Dermatology — Mon, 16 Oct 2006 06:00:00 +0100

(Source: Archives of Dermatology)

Functional comparison of mouse CIRE/mouse DC-SIGN and human DC-SIGN

International Immunology — Fri, 28 Apr 2006 06:00:00 +0100

CIRE/mDC-SIGN is a C-type lectin we originally identified as a molecule differentially expressed by mouse dendritic cell (DC) populations. Immunostaining with a CIRE/mDC-SIGN-specific mAb revealed that CIRE/mDC-SIGN is indeed on the surface of some CD4+, CD4–8– DCs and plasmacytoid pre-DCs, but not on CD8+ DCs. It has been proposed that CIRE/mDC-SIGN is the functional orthologue of human DC-SIGN (hDC-SIGN), a molecule that both enhances T cell responses and facilitates antigen uptake. We assessed if CIRE/mDC-SIGN and hDC-SIGN exhibit functional similarities. CIRE/mDC-SIGN is down-regulated upon activation, but unlike hDC-SIGN, incubation with IL-4 and IL-13 did not enhance CIRE/mDC-SIGN expression, indicating differences in gene regulation. Like hDC-SIGN, CIRE/mDC-SIGN bound ma...

Prevalence of visceral leishmania & HIV co-infection in Nepal.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100

Prevalence of visceral leishmania & HIV co-infection in Nepal. Indian J Med Res. 2006 Mar;123(3):473-5 Authors: Gurubacharya RL, Gurubacharya SM, Gurubacharya DL, Quinkel J, Gurubacharya VL PMID: 16778325 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian J Med Res)

Drug unresponsiveness & combination therapy for kala-azar.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100

Drug unresponsiveness & combination therapy for kala-azar. Indian J Med Res. 2006 Mar;123(3):389-98 Authors: Jha TK Pentavalent antimonials (SbV) have been successfully used for treatment of kala-azar since last six decades. Since 1970s its conventional dosages have failed to achieve with 60 per cent unresponsiveness reported with WHO regimen in Bihar (India). Pentamidine initially used as a second line of drug, acquired resistance (25%) even with prolonged dosage. Newer oral drug miltefosine is a potent antileishmanial drug with longer half-life, a property likely to acquire resistance. Paromomycin has undergone extensive clinical trials in Indian kala-azar patients. Being an aminoglycoside, acquired resistance is likely to occur when used as a monotherapy. To encounter th...

Leishmania/HIV co-infections in the second decade.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100

Authors: Cruz I, Nieto J, Moreno J, Cañavate C, Desjeux P, Alvar J Leishmania-HIV co-infection has been globally controlled in Southern Europe since 1997 because of highly active anti retroviral therapy (HAART), but it appears to be an increasing problem in other countries such as Ethopia, Sudan, Brazil or India where both infections are becoming more and more prevalent. Most of the scientific background on Leishmania/HIV co-infection has been dropped from the Mediterranean experience and although the situations among countries are not fully comparable, it is of high importance to take advantage of this knowledge. In this review several aspects of the Leishmania/HIV co-infection are emphasized viz., epidemiological features, new ways of transmission, pathogenesis, clinical outcome, di...

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Visceral leishmaniasis - current therapeutic modalities.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100

Authors: Sundar S, Chatterjee M Major therapeutic obstacles in the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) include the alarming increase in antimonial unresponsiveness especially in Bihar, India and relapses in HIV-Leishmania co-infected patients. The therapeutic armamentarium for VL is currently plagued with several limitations as the available drugs are toxic, majority are effective only parenterally and need to be administered for extended periods. The first orally effective drug, miltefosine has been approved for treating VL. In antimony refractory zones, pentavalent antimony has been largely replaced by amphotericin B deoxycholate, but prolonged hospitalization, toxic effects, and requirement for monitoring greatly hamper its widespread application in endemic regions. Lipid formu...

Immune responses in kala-azar.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100

Authors: Saha S, Mondal S, Banerjee A, Ghose J, Bhowmick S, Ali N Human infection with Leishmania results in diverse clinical and immunopathological situations. The capacity of the parasites to cause this wide range of disease manifestations depends upon their ability to evade the immune defense mechanisms by performing a well-tuned orchestra of hostparasite interactions inside the macrophages. While updated knowledge focus on the key role of cell-mediated immunity (CMI) in protection, the survival strategies of the parasites leads to the suppression of CMI which can further be aggravated by the co-infections with HIV, tuberculosis etc. The present review describes the immune mechanisms in human leishmaniasis with a special attention to visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar, one of the m...

Pre- & post-treatment evaluation of immunological features in Indian visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients with HIV co-infection.

Indian J Med Res — Tue, 14 Mar 2006 07:00:00 +0100

CONCLUSION: A different immune response was noticed in patients with co-infection of HIV and Leishmania. Anti-leishmanial drug treatment led to improvement in immunological response in co-infected patients. Further studies need to be done to see the effect of combined therapy for VL and HIV on immunological parameters in these patients. PMID: 16778304 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Indian J Med Res)