title: [Visceral leishmaniasis in Italy. Its epidemiology, clinical picture and therapy].
abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a public health problem in most countries bordering the Mediterranean sea. The disease has been found in central and southern Italy, Sicily, Sardinia; some pockets are present in Liguria. Dogs are the reservoirs and the vectors are some species of sandfly (Phlebotomus species). The incubation period is usually between 2 and 8 months; children and adults may become infected; lethality may be high and depends upon a correct diagnosis and treatment. The diagnosis should be suspected on the basis of the epidemiological data and clinical picture and confirmed by the detection of specific antibodies by appropriate techniques. Leishmaniasis can be detected in splenic or bone marrow aspirates. Patients with HIV infection and VL may lack specific antibodies; parasitological diagnosis is mandatory for these patients. Antimonials are the classic therapeutic agents for VL. Recently liposomal amphotericin B (Ambisome) has been successfully used, with negligible toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Malattie Infettive, II Università, Napoli.
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Gaeta
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gradoni
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gramiccia
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: di Martino
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pizzuti
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pempinello
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scotti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Maisto
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004285:Dogs; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D010691:Phlebotomus; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents
vernacular_title: Leishmaniosi viscerale in Italia. Epidemiologia, clinica, terapia.