Through whole-genome sequencing analysis, we identified non-Leishmania parasites isolated from a man with a fatal visceral leishmaniasis-like illness in Brazil. The parasites infected mice and reproduced the patient's clinical manifestations. Molecular epidemiologic studies are needed to ascertain whether a new infectious disease is emerging that can be confused with leishmaniasis.
Keywords: Brazil; Crithidia-related; Visceral leishmaniasis–like; genome sequencing; parasites; sand flies; vector-borne infections; whole-genome sequencing.