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Atypical visceral leishmaniasis is increasingly reported in immunocompromised patients, including patients with AIDS. A case of visceral leishmaniasis in an HIV-infected Brazilian patient with pulmonary and peritoneal involvement is reported. Histological evaluation of pleural fluid and ascites aspirate revealed macrophages with intracellular Leishmania. Polymerase chain reaction analysis was positive for Leishmania in the pleural and ascitic fluid with use of primers specific for Leishmania chagasi. In addition to classical methods for diagnosing leishmaniasis, such as microscopy and culture, polymerase chain reaction detection and identification of Leishmania species in pleural effusions and ascites are important diagnostic tools that should be considered by clinicians evaluating HIV-infected patients from endemic areas of visceral leishmaniasis. The authors review the clinical manifestations, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in immunocompetent and HIV-infected patients.

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