[Visceral leishmaniasis and AIDS. Report of 2 cases with cutaneous dissemination].

The cutaneous affection in visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar, is well known although poorly documented. The coinfection by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has resulted in the development of frequent atypical forms of VL, increasing the descriptions of cutaneous affection in its evolution. We present two cases of VL-HIV, stressing the location of Leishmania in cutaneous lesions and in apparently normal skin. We suggest the cutaneous biopsy as diagnostic procedure and criteria for the definition of VL-HIV as indicative of AIDS.