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...

behçet’s disease (bd) is a multisystem disorder with potential ability to influence the pregnancy outcome and pregnancy is associated with several physiologic alterations which can lead to potential changes in the course of the disease. we studied 77 pregnancies in 69 women with bd. the disease activity was calculated by two methods for three periods of before, during and after pregnancy to eva...

introduction: patients with bilateral weakness (bw) have many difficulties in gaze stability that interfere with their normal function. the aim of this study was to evaluate ocular motor functions in patients with bw to better understand the problem of gaze instability in these patients.   materials and methods: patients were referred from the otolaryngology department for vestibular assessment...

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 ...