Visceral Leishmaniasis/HIV co-infection in Sudan: isolation of parasites from peripheral blood and documentation of 7 cases

Leishmaniases, caused by over 20 species, are parasitic diseases resulting from female phlebotomine sandfly bites. Various clinical forms are existed. Visceral form is the most serious one and constitute a major health concern in Sudan. When linked to HIV, it poses a diagnostic challenge and suggest anthroponotic transmission of leishmania in Sudan as previously suggested by several authors. Seven HIV patients suspected of having VL in this investigation had positive DAT and an effective parasite culture. Patients were treated according to Sudan Ministry of Health protocols for both HIV infection and leishmania. Two patients died, and five experienced infection relapses. The presence of leishmania in blood suggests potential anthroponotic transmission. HIV coinfection did not reduce antibody responses to the leishmania parasites.