Visceral Leishmaniasis Relapse in HIV Patients—A Role for Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells?

This article discusses the relationship between visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and HIV, specifically focusing on the role of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) in VL relapse in HIV patients. VL is a deadly infection caused by the Leishmania donovani spp. complex and is transmitted by sand flies. The HIV pandemic has contributed to the increased spread of VL, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. The article proposes that MDSC may contribute to the persistent immune suppression observed in HIV-VL coinfection, leading to therapeutic failure. The hypothesis is suggested to be tested through a longitudinal study to determine the presence and impact of MDSC in HIV-VL patients. [Extracted from the article]