title: Visceral leishmaniasis: host-parasite interactions and clinical presentation in the immunocompetent and in the immunocompromised host.
abstract: Visceral leishmaniases are vector-borne parasitic diseases caused by protozoa belonging to the genus Leishmania. The heterogeneity of clinical manifestations and epidemiological characteristics of the disease reflect the complex interplay between the infecting Leishmania species and the genetic and immunologic characteristics of the infected host. The clinical presentation of visceral leishmaniasis depends strictly on the immunocompetency of the host and ranges from asymptomatic to severe forms. Conditions of depression of the immune system, such as HIV infection or immunosuppressive treatments, impair the capability of the immune response to resolve the infection and allow reactivation and relapses of the disease.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute, Sezione di Malattie Infettive, Università di Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, Palermo, Italy. laura.sapo@tin.it
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Saporito
authors: Giovanni M
authors: GM
authors: Giammanco
authors: Simona
authors: S
authors: De Grazia
authors: Claudia
authors: C
authors: Colomba
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004199:Disease Vectors; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000502:physiology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000469:parasitology