The synergism between protein-energy malnutrition and visceral leishmaniasis

The protein-energy malnutrition and visceral leishmaniasis are important problems of public health, which affect millions of people worldwide. Currently has been accepted that the immunity or susceptibility to infect-parasitic diseases are directly related with the nutritional status of the host. However, the mechanisms that govern the relationship between the protein-energy malnutrition and the course of the visceral leishmaniasis are multiple and little explained. This study aims to present the current aspects most important and on the synergism between these two illnesses. They were identified and analyzed 77 works published between 1960 and 2007, being used as main sources the LILACS-BIREME and MEDLINE databases. As much the protein-energy malnutrition as the infections caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus are frequent problems in the current days. In the measure where new studies are developments on the subject, it becomes essential that the society knows them