Visceral leishmaniasis and pregnancy: analysis of cases reported in a central-western region of Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
Because of the large number of cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) recorded in Brazil over the last few years, this disease has been showing characteristics different from previously known ones. We report cases of pregnant women treated for VL, describing their course and outcome and the chemotherapeutic medication used according to the clinical signs and symptoms of each patient.


METHODS
We report five cases of pregnant women treated for VL in a central-western region of Brazil.


RESULTS
No case of vertical transmission was observed, even in patients who were treated after delivery. One of the patients with a late diagnosis made after the onset of symptoms died. Thus, the treatment of VL during pregnancy reduces maternal mortality and the rate of vertical transmission of the disease, being safe and effective as long as the disease is diagnosed early.


CONCLUSIONS
At present, amphotericin B and its derivatives appear to be the best therapeutic option for the mother-child binomial.
Figueiró-Filho
Ernesto A
EA
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil.
El Beitune
Patrícia
P
Queiroz
Gustavo T
GT
Somensi
Renato S
RS
Morais
Natally O
NO
Dorval
Maria Elizabeth C
ME
Quintana
Silvana Maria
SM
Duarte
Geraldo
G
D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000469:parasitology; D006529:Hepatomegaly / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000469:parasitology
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; C068538:liposomal amphotericin B; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid; D000666:Amphotericin B; C059765:amphotericin B, deoxycholate drug combination; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate