Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy on the incidence and clinical manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients.

This study analyzes the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on visceral leishmaniasis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals. We describe 66 episodes diagnosed in our hospital from 1994 through 2000 (35 episodes in patients who were not receiving HAART and 31 episodes in patients who were receiving HAART). Since HAART became available, the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis has significantly decreased and the number of first episodes has decreased, although the number of relapses is increasing.