Leishmaniases, caused by the intracellular protozoan Leishmania infantum, are an endemic zoonosis in the Mediterranean basin. Dogs are considered the major host for these parasites, and the main reservoir for human visceral infection. Parasites are transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies, being Phlebotomus perniciosus and P. ariasi the proven vectors in Portugal. The global climate c...

The cytokine profile produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) in response to leishmania antigens and the ability of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) to modulate the immune response were evaluated in 21 mucosal leishmaniasis patients. Patients with mucosal disease exhibited increased gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (T...

To the Editor: The report of a human cutaneous leishmaniasis case acquired in Clairvaux-les-lacs (1) led us to carry out an investigation with the veterinary clinics in Jura Department, France. Clairvaux-leslacs is a lakeside resort located in Jura, one of the areas in France with the coldest average temperatures, and is clearly located outside the usual leishmaniasis-endemic area. At least 31 ...

We report a case of visceral leishmaniasis in a patient receiving steroids and cyclophosphamide for polyarteritis nodosa. The clinical presentation of leishmaniasis, with fever, pancitopenia and hypergammaglobulinemia may be confused with a reactivation of vasculitis or with other non-infectious conditions such as haematologic diseases. In endemic areas, the case of latent leishmaniasis must be...

Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis caused by flagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania transmitted by sand fly bites. Old World leishmaniasis is endemic in the Mediterranean Sea and the neighbouring countries. We believe, that this case is interesting by the fact that we had a very rear disease case that can be observed in nonendemic area. We present a...

Background & Aims: Despite improvements in public health in Iran, cutaneous leishmaniasis has become a growing health issue. About 90% of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases occur in 8 countries including Iran. Kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis, as an important parasitic disease, is endemic in some areas of Iran. Mapping the distribution of parasitic diseases and determining their relations to geog...

To the Editor: The report of a human cutaneous leishmaniasis case acquired in Clairvaux-les-lacs (1) led us to carry out an investigation with the veterinary clinics in Jura Department, France. Clairvaux-leslacs is a lakeside resort located in Jura, one of the areas in France with the coldest average temperatures, and is clearly located outside the usual leishmaniasis-endemic area. At least 31 ...

J Travel Med 2004; 11:328–330. Leishmaniasis represents a diverse group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites that are transmitted to humans by the bite of phlebotomine sandflies. Three major clinical forms can be recognized,visceral,cutaneous and mucocutaneous, which are widespread in tropical, subtropical and temperate areas.1 Data on the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in travelers ...