[Liver involvement during visceral leishmaniasis].

Visceral leishmaniasis is a life-threatening infection due to Leishmania parasites that has been reported in 62 countries. The Mediterranean area is endemic for Leishmania infantum and cases have been reported in Spain, France, Italy and Portugal. During the infection, parasites disseminate in the phagocyte cells of bone marrow, the spleen, liver and lymph nodes. In this paper, we review the clinical and biological signs observed in visceral cases of leishmaniasis with hepatic involvement. We also focus on experimental and pathophysiological data to clarify our understanding of liver involvement during this infection.