Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.

Visceral leishmaniasis is hypoendemic in Mediterranean countries, where it is caused by the flagellate protozoan Leishmania infantum. VL cases in this area account for 5%-6% of the global burden. Cases of Leishmania/HIV coinfection have been reported in the Mediterranean region, mainly in France, It...

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Main Authors: Begoña Monge-Maillo, Francesca F Norman, Israel Cruz, Jorge Alvar, Rogelio López-Vélez
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2014-08-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4140663?pdf=render
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author Begoña Monge-Maillo
Francesca F Norman
Israel Cruz
Jorge Alvar
Rogelio López-Vélez
author_facet Begoña Monge-Maillo
Francesca F Norman
Israel Cruz
Jorge Alvar
Rogelio López-Vélez
author_sort Begoña Monge-Maillo
collection DOAJ
description Visceral leishmaniasis is hypoendemic in Mediterranean countries, where it is caused by the flagellate protozoan Leishmania infantum. VL cases in this area account for 5%-6% of the global burden. Cases of Leishmania/HIV coinfection have been reported in the Mediterranean region, mainly in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Since highly active antiretroviral therapy was introduced in 1997, a marked decrease in the number of coinfected cases in this region has been reported. The development of new diagnostic methods to accurately identify level of parasitemia and the risk of relapse is one of the main challenges in improving the treatment of coinfected patients. Clinical trials in the Mediterranean region are needed to determine the most adequate therapeutic options for Leishmania/HIV patients as well as the indications and regimes for secondary prophylaxis. This article reviews the epidemiological, diagnostic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of Leishmania/HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
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spelling doaj.art-57d71aace168471ab562952fa1f98e912022-12-22T03:11:33ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352014-08-0188e302110.1371/journal.pntd.0003021Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.Begoña Monge-MailloFrancesca F NormanIsrael CruzJorge AlvarRogelio López-VélezVisceral leishmaniasis is hypoendemic in Mediterranean countries, where it is caused by the flagellate protozoan Leishmania infantum. VL cases in this area account for 5%-6% of the global burden. Cases of Leishmania/HIV coinfection have been reported in the Mediterranean region, mainly in France, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. Since highly active antiretroviral therapy was introduced in 1997, a marked decrease in the number of coinfected cases in this region has been reported. The development of new diagnostic methods to accurately identify level of parasitemia and the risk of relapse is one of the main challenges in improving the treatment of coinfected patients. Clinical trials in the Mediterranean region are needed to determine the most adequate therapeutic options for Leishmania/HIV patients as well as the indications and regimes for secondary prophylaxis. This article reviews the epidemiological, diagnostic, clinical, and therapeutic aspects of Leishmania/HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4140663?pdf=render
spellingShingle Begoña Monge-Maillo
Francesca F Norman
Israel Cruz
Jorge Alvar
Rogelio López-Vélez
Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
title Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
title_full Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
title_fullStr Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
title_full_unstemmed Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
title_short Visceral leishmaniasis and HIV coinfection in the Mediterranean region.
title_sort visceral leishmaniasis and hiv coinfection in the mediterranean region
url http://europepmc.org/articles/PMC4140663?pdf=render
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