Introduction

Given the detrimental interaction between both pathogens, visceral leishmaniasis (VL)–HIV co-infection has been identified as one of the emerging challenges for VL control. The epidemiological impact of HIV on VL was most strikingly illustrated by the effect of the HIV epidemic in VL-endemic countries in southern Europe, with HIV contributing to the re-emergence of VL. By early 2000, almost 2,000 cases of VL–HIV co-infection (predominantly in intravenous drug users) had been identified, with up to 50%–60% of all VL cases being HIV co-infected. Fortunately, with the wide-scale introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (ART), a gradual decline in VL incidence has been observed in Europe over the last decade. Currently, the burden of VL–HIV co-infection is most apparent in some regions in East Africa, like Northwest Ethiopia, where between 20%–40% of VL cases are co-infected with HIV. The problem also seems to be emerging in India and Brazil.

Authors

Johan van Griensven, Koert Ritmeijer, Lutgarde Lynen, Ermias Diro.