[Cutaneo-visceral leishmaniasis: a new opportunistic infection in patients infected by HIV]

A HIV infected patient was admitted to hospital with fever diarrhoea and a cutaneous nodule on his left groin. Histopathological exam was diagnostic of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Subsequent exams disclosed Visceral Leishmaniasis. Three cycles of treatment (antimonials, pentamidine and metronidazole) were required for the clearance of lesions. The relation between immunosuppression and leishmania infection is commented and its role as an opportunistic pathogen is suggested. In these patients the infection takes a more aggressive course and has a worse response to the classic treatment with antimonials. These facts have made necessary the introduction of other alternative drugs.