Leishmania and HIV co-infection: dermatological manifestations

Ann Trop Med Parasitol. 2003 Oct:97 Suppl 1:107-14. doi: 10.1179/000349803225002589.

Abstract

Leishmania species can cause a wide spectrum of cutaneous disease in HIV-positive patients: asymptomatic, localized cutaneous, mucosal, muco-cutaneous, diffuse cutaneous or post-kala-azar leishmaniasis. In such cases, which are usually severely immunocompromised, the leishmanial parasites reach the skin of the human host by dissemination after either a new infection (resulting from the bite of infected sandfly or, probably, the sharing of contaminated syringes by intravenous-drug users) or the re-activation of a latent infection. Recent experience and past observations on the dermatology of leishmaniasis in those with Leishmania/HIV co-infection are reviewed here.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / parasitology*
  • Animals
  • Comorbidity
  • Humans
  • Immunocompetence / physiology
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / parasitology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Mucocutaneous / parasitology
  • Needle Sharing / adverse effects
  • Psychodidae / parasitology
  • Skin / parasitology