The Brazilian municipality of Rondonópolis, Mato Grosso State,
represents an important visceral leishmaniasis (VL) endemic area. This study
described epidemiological and clinical aspects of the occurrence, VL/HIV coinfection
and lethality related to VL in Rondonópolis. Data from autochthonous
cases reported between 2011 and 2016 were obtained from official information systems.
During this period, 81 autochthonous cases were reported, with decreasing incidence
through 2016. Contrastingly, the lethality rate was 8.6% overall, but varied widely,
reaching a peak (20%) in 2016. Almost 10% of patients had VL/HIVcoinfection. The
occurrence of VL prevailed among men (56.8%), brown-skinned (49.4%), urban residents
(92.6%), aged 0-4 years (33.3%). Housewives or retired (29.6%) were the most affected
occupational groups. Lower age was the main difference among the total VL cases and
those who were coinfected or died. Clinically, fever, weakness and splenomegaly were
more frequent among all VL cases and VL/HIV coinfected individuals. Bacterial
infections (p=0.001) and bleeding (p<0.001) were associated with death due to VL.
Pentavalent antimonial and liposomal amphotericin B were the first choices for
treatment among all VL cases (71.6%) and those who died (71.4%), respectively. VL/HIV
patients were equally treated with both drugs. These findings may support control
measures and demonstrate the need for further investigations.