title: Visceral leishmaniasis in 26 HIV-negative adults.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Visceral leishmaniasis is a notifiable parasitic disease that had increased in incidence in our region on the past few years. It is common in children. In adults, it occurs more on a background of immunodeficiency, and frequently with incomplete clinical manifestations, making the diagnosis complicated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The aim of our study is to reveal different features of visceral leishmaniasis in adults, through the analysis of its epidemiological, clinical and biological parameters, in a group of 26 patients. No one was infected with HIV or under immunosuppressive therapy Clinical presentation was generally conservative, but there was few differences in adults compared to children, concerning both the clinical symptoms and the laboratory parameters. Diagnosis was provided by direct examination of bone marrow smears in 24 cases (sensitivity 92%), and anti-leishmanial serology in the others.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We should think to the diagnosis of VL even if the patient is not known immunocompromised, and even if the clinical is incomplete, to avoid a delay of care which can lead to serious complications.
authors: Laboratory of Hematology, University Hospital of Fez, Atlas, Fez, Morocco. hazarlahlou@hotmail.com.
authors: Hazar
authors: H
authors: Lahlou
authors: Ahmed B
authors: AB
authors: Filali
authors: Meryem
authors: M
authors: Alami
authors: Moncef
authors: M
authors: Amrani
authors: Rhizlane
authors: R
authors: Berrady
authors: Samira
authors: S
authors: Rabhi
authors: Wafaa
authors: W
authors: Bono