Visceral leishmaniasis and leishmaniasis-HIV coinfection: comparative study.

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to draw clinical and epidemiological comparisons between visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and VL associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

METHOD: Retrospective study.

RESULTS

Of 473 cases of VL, 5.5% were coinfected with HIV. The highest proportion of cases of both VL and VL/HIV were found among men. A higher proportion of VL cases was seen in children aged 0-10 years, whereas coinfection was more common in those aged 18-50 years.

CONCLUSIONS

VL/HIV coinfected patients presented slightly differently to and had a higher mortality rate than those with VL only.