Abstract
An increased number of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases has recently been reported in Bologna Province in northern Italy. Over six months from November 2012 to May 2013, 14 cases occurred, whereas the average number of cases per year was 2.6 (range: 0-8) in 2008 to 2012. VL was diagnosed in a median of 40 days (range: 15-120) from disease onset. This delay in diagnosis shows the need for heightened awareness of clinicians for autochthonous VL in Europe.
Highlights
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a severe disease primarily affecting the host’s reticuloendothelial system and is caused by parasitic protozoans belonging to the Leishmania donovani complex
VL is endemic in Mediterranean Europe, where the disease is caused by L. infantum
Clinicians and microbiologists are often ill informed on the prevalence and symptoms of, and detection methods for VL, which may lead to initial misdiagnosis and a delay in diagnosis and treatment
Summary
Ongoing outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis in Bologna Province, Italy, November 2012 to May 2013. An increased number of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases has recently been reported in Bologna Province in northern Italy. VL was diagnosed in a median of 40 days (range: 15–120) from disease onset This delay in diagnosis shows the need for heightened awareness of clinicians for autochthonous VL in Europe. From November 2012 to May 2013, public health authorities, microbiologists and clinicians in Bologna Province, northern Italy, noted an upsurge in human cases of visceral leishmaniasis. During these six months, 14 cases were notified, an over five-fold increase compared with the annual average of 2.6 cases (range: 0–8) from 2008 to 2012.
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