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Visceral leishmaniasis and pregnancy: analysis of cases reported in a central-western region of Brazil

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Abstract

Objectives

Because of the large number of cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) recorded in Brazil over the last few years, this disease has been showing characteristics different from previously known ones. We report cases of pregnant women treated for VL, describing their course and outcome and the chemotherapeutic medication used according to the clinical signs and symptoms of each patient.

Study design

We report five cases of pregnant women treated for VL in a central-western region of Brazil.

Results

No case of vertical transmission was observed, even in patients who were treated after delivery. One of the patients with a late diagnosis made after the onset of symptoms died. Thus, the treatment of VL during pregnancy reduces maternal mortality and the rate of vertical transmission of the disease, being safe and effective as long as the disease is diagnosed early.

Conclusion

At present, amphotericin B and its derivatives appear to be the best therapeutic option for the mother–child binomial.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil

    Ernesto A. Figueiró-Filho, Gustavo T. Queiroz, Renato S. Somensi & Natally O. Morais

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fundação Faculdade Federal de Ciências Médicas de Porto Alegre, Rua Sarmento Leite, 245, Porto Alegre, RS, 90050-170, Brazil

    Patrícia El Beitune

  3. Department of Pathology, Biological Sciences and Health Center, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, MS, Brazil

    Maria Elizabeth C. Dorval

  4. Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil

    Silvana Maria Quintana & Geraldo Duarte

Authors
  1. Ernesto A. Figueiró-Filho
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  2. Patrícia El Beitune
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  3. Gustavo T. Queiroz
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  4. Renato S. Somensi
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  5. Natally O. Morais
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  6. Maria Elizabeth C. Dorval
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  7. Silvana Maria Quintana
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  8. Geraldo Duarte
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Patrícia El Beitune.

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Figueiró-Filho, E.A., El Beitune, P., Queiroz, G.T. et al. Visceral leishmaniasis and pregnancy: analysis of cases reported in a central-western region of Brazil. Arch Gynecol Obstet 278, 13–16 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-007-0532-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-007-0532-0

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