Author(s): Lima, Elaine Cristina Bomfim de ; Barbosa Júnior, Walter Lins ; Brito, Maria Edileuza Felinto de ; Melo, Fábio Lopes de ; Brandão Filho, Sinval Pinto ; Medeiros, Zulma Maria de
Date: 2017
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): Characterization; Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi; Visceral leishmaniasis; HIV/AIDS; Coinfection
Visceral leishmaniasis, associated with HIV/AIDS coinfection, is becoming a more aggressive disease, complicating an accurate prognosis. A 21-year-old HIV-positive female presenting with clinical features of visceral leishmaniasis was enrolled in this study. Bone marrow cytology, Novy-MacNeal-Nicolle culture and kDNA PCR of peripheral blood were all positive. Typing methods, multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and ITS1-RFLP PCR of peripheral blood confirmed infection by Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi . PCR has proved to be safer and more affordable than other characterization methods; ITS1-RFLP PCR can diagnose and type Leishmania spp. in both endemic and non-endemic areas, favoring the prognosis and allowing the appropriate treatment of patients.
