Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis in pregnancy.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in pregnancy is rare in Mediterranean countries. We report here 2 cases of VL in pregnant women who acquired the infection in Italy. In the first case, the disease was diagnosed and treated with liposomal amphotericin B during the pregnancy. In the second case, diagnosis was established and treatment with meglumine antimoniate both undertaken shortly after delivery. The 2 infants were followed clinically and serologically for 8-9 months after birth, but no evidence of congenital VL was observed.