Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

In Vivo Imaging of Leishmania infantum-infected Hamsters by Gingival Inoculation of Axenic Amastigotes Expressing Luciferase
Published on: April 4, 2025
AA-amyloidosis caused by visceral leishmaniasis in a human immunodeficiency virus-infected patient
Serge de Vallière1, Charles Mary, Jeanna E Joneberg
1Infectious Diseases Service, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland.
Abstract:
AA-amyloidosis in the setting of chronic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been reported in animal models but documentation in humans is unavailable. Here, we report on a Portuguese man who in 1996 was diagnosed with both human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infection and VL. Antiretroviral treatment led to sustained suppression of HIV viremia but CD4+ lymphocytes rose from 8 to only 160 cells/mL. Several courses of antimony treatment did not prevent VL relapses. Renal failure developed in 2006 and renal biopsy revealed AA-amyloidosis. The patient had cryoglobulinemia and serum immune complexes containing antibodies directed against seven leishmanial antigens. Antimony plus amphotericin B, followed by oral miltefosine resulted in a sustained VL treatment response with elimination of circulating Leishmania infantum DNA and CD4+ recovery. The concomitant reduction of serum AA levels and disappearance of circulating leishmanial immune complexes suggests that prolonged VL may lead to AA-amyloidosis in immunocompromised humans.
Related Concept Videos
Leishmaniasis
Amebiasis
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining, normally used to...
Antiprotozoal Agents
Immunodeficiency Diseases
There are three main causes of immunodeficiency disorders...

