OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and laboratory features of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in HIV-infected and non-infected subjects, and to determine the presence of Leishmania amastigotes in circulating leukocytes using peripheral blood smears. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight HIV-infected and six HIV-negative adult patients diagnosed as having kala-azar presenting at one institution over a 7-year period. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical charts and re-examination of peripheral blood smears. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinical presentation and laboratory features of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. However, Leishmania amastigotes were observed in circulating leukocytes in eight out of the 17 available peripheral blood smears (15 from HIV-infected patients). All eight individuals presenting with Leishmania in peripheral blood leukocytes were HIV-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Direct visualization of Leishmania amastigotes in leukocytes on peripheral blood smears enabled the diagnosis of kala-azar in a high proportion [eight out of 15 (53%)] of our HIV-infected patients.
OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical and laboratory features of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in HIV-infected and non-infected subjects, and to determine the presence of Leishmania amastigotes in circulating leukocytes using peripheral blood smears. PATIENTS: Twenty-eight HIV-infected and six HIV-negative adult patients diagnosed as having kala-azar presenting at one institution over a 7-year period. METHODS: Retrospective review of clinical charts and re-examination of peripheral blood smears. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the clinical presentation and laboratory features of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. However, Leishmania amastigotes were observed in circulating leukocytes in eight out of the 17 available peripheral blood smears (15 from HIV-infectedpatients). All eight individuals presenting with Leishmania in peripheral blood leukocytes were HIV-positive. CONCLUSIONS: Direct visualization of Leishmania amastigotes in leukocytes on peripheral blood smears enabled the diagnosis of kala-azar in a high proportion [eight out of 15 (53%)] of our HIV-infectedpatients.
Authors: L Lachaud; J Dereure; E Chabbert; J Reynes; J M Mauboussin; E Oziol; J P Dedet; P Bastien Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2000-01 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: J Alvar; C Cañavate; B Gutiérrez-Solar; M Jiménez; F Laguna; R López-Vélez; R Molina; J Moreno Journal: Clin Microbiol Rev Date: 1997-04 Impact factor: 26.132
Authors: R López-Vélez; F Laguna; J Alvar; J A Pérez-Molina; R Molina; P Martinez; J Villarrubia Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 1995-04 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Jason L Weirather; Selma M B Jeronimo; Shalini Gautam; Shyam Sundar; Mitchell Kang; Melissa A Kurtz; Rashidul Haque; Albert Schriefer; Sinésio Talhari; Edgar M Carvalho; John E Donelson; Mary E Wilson Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2011-11 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: F Laguna; M Adrados; J Alvar; V Soriano; M E Valencia; V Moreno; R Polo; J Verdejo; M I Jiménez; P Martínez; M L Martínez; J M González-Lahoz Journal: Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis Date: 1997-12 Impact factor: 3.267