title: Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in HIV-infected individuals using peripheral blood smears.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the clinical and laboratory features of visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) in HIV-infected and non-infected subjects, and to determine the presence of Leishmania amastigotes in circulating leukocytes using peripheral blood smears.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-eight HIV-infected and six HIV-negative adult patients diagnosed as having kala-azar presenting at one institution over a 7-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review of clinical charts and re-examination of peripheral blood smears.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no significant differences in the clinical presentation and laboratory features of HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients. However, Leishmania amastigotes were observed in circulating leukocytes in eight out of the 17 available peripheral blood smears (15 from HIV-infected patients). All eight individuals presenting with Leishmania in peripheral blood leukocytes were HIV-positive.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Direct visualization of Leishmania amastigotes in leukocytes on peripheral blood smears enabled the diagnosis of kala-azar in a high proportion [eight out of 15 (53%)] of our HIV-infected patients.
authors: Sección de Hematología y Bioquímica, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Martínez
authors: E
authors: E
authors: de la Vega
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Laguna
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Soriano
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Puente
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Moreno
authors: M J
authors: MJ
authors: Sentchordi
authors: C
authors: C
authors: García-Aguado
authors: J
authors: J
authors: González-Lahoz
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000469:parasitology; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged