Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a parasitic disease found in tropical and subtropical areas. It is a systemic disease that primarily affects vulnerable age groups such as children under age 5 and people over 50, as well as adults with comorbidities or immunosuppressive conditions such as HIV/AIDS. If not treated in a timely manner, it can result in death in more than 90% of cases. In the last five years, an average of some 2.850 cases of visceral leishmaniasis were recorded, with an average case fatality rate of 8.2%.
Visceral leishmaniasis has been recorded in 13 countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela). It should be noted that Brazil accounts for 93% of cases. Despite the downward trend in cases of VL in the Region, the geographical distribution of the disease has expanded.
Some of the recommendations presented here may differ from the specific recommendations for other continents, given the Region's distinct epidemiological and biological characteristics, including the different circulating species of Leishmania, transmission cycles, and treatments. Treatment may be local or systemic, depending on the clinical form of the disease and the local use criteria. Recommendations are for pediatric and adult patients and, when available, based on the species of Leishmania presumptively involved.
2.850 cases of visceral leishmaniasis were recorded, with an average case fatality rate of 8.2%. Visceral leishmaniasis has been recorded in 13 countries (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela). It should be noted that Brazil accounts for 93% of cases. Despite the downward trend in cases of VL in the Region, the geographical distribution of the disease has expanded.
