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Lower trypanosomatids in HIV/AIDS patients.
1WHO Collaborating Centre for Leishmaniasis, Servicio de Parasitología, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Carretera Majadahonda-Pozuelo Km 2, 28220 Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology
|December 18, 2003
Summary
Certain trypanosomatids, typically infecting plants and insects, can cause severe visceral or cutaneous lesions in immunocompromised individuals, particularly those with HIV. These parasites, usually harmless to healthy people, highlight a vulnerability in weakened immune systems.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The family Trypanosomatidae comprises parasites of plants, insects, and vertebrates.
- Only Leishmania and Trypanosoma genera are typically found in humans.
- Monoxenous trypanosomatids are usually non-pathogenic in immunocompetent hosts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review cases of unusual trypanosomatid infections in humans.
- To investigate the susceptibility of immunocompromised individuals to novel trypanosomatids.
- To understand the clinical manifestations of these infections.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of reported cases.
- Analysis of parasite isolation and identification.
- Clinical case study review.
Main Results:
- Since 1995, several monoxenous trypanosomatids have been isolated from HIV-positive individuals.
- These infections resulted in visceral or cutaneous lesions.
- Immunocompromised patients are vulnerable to trypanosomatids that do not affect healthy individuals.
Conclusions:
- HIV-positive patients are at risk for infections by atypical trypanosomatids.
- Immunocompromise significantly increases susceptibility to certain parasitic infections.
- These findings underscore the importance of considering unusual pathogens in immunocompromised hosts.