Visceral leishmaniasis is an anthropozoonosis that is caused by protozoa
of the genus Leishmania, especially Leishmania
(Leishmania) infantum, and is transmitted to
humans by the bite of sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia, such as
Lutzomyia longipalpis. There are many reservoirs, including
Canis familiaris. It is a chronic infectious disease with
systemic involvement that is characterized by three phases: the initial period, the
state period and the final period. The main symptoms are fever, malnutrition,
hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia. This article reports a case of a patient
diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis in the final period following autochthonous
transmission in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro. The case reported here is
considered by the Municipal Civil Defense and Health Surveillance of Rio de Janeiro
to be the first instance of autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in humans in the
urban area of this city. The patient was discharged and is undergoing a follow-up at
the outpatient clinic, demonstrating clinical improvement.