Congenitally transmitted visceral leishmaniasis: report of two Brazilian human cases

Braz J Infect Dis. 2013 Mar-Apr;17(2):263-6. doi: 10.1016/j.bjid.2012.10.017. Epub 2013 Feb 27.

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis is a relevant public health problem worldwide. Most of the reported cases in Latin America are from Brazil. Herein we report two human cases of congenitally transmitted visceral leishmaniasis in two patients who developed symptoms during pregnancy. The diagnosis was made by visual examination of Leishmania parasites in bone marrow aspirates of the mothers and by detecting parasite kDNA in bone marrow samples of the newborn children using polymerase chain reaction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / congenital*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications, Parasitic / parasitology*
  • Young Adult