Les infections parasitaires du système des phagocytes mononucléés

Among parasites, protozoans belonging to the Toxoplasma, Leishmania and Trypanosoma genus are the main agents that infect mononuclear phagocytes. Clinical signs and follow-up are different. Toxoplasmosis is a cosmopolite infection widely spread in France, generally asymptomatic in immunocompetent hosts but potentially serious in case of immunosuppression or when primary infection is acquired during pregnancy. Biological tools for diagnosis include serology, molecular biology and even inoculation to laboratory animals, for the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis. Leishmaniasis are endemic in 88 countries, including France. Visceral leishmaniasis is a life-threatening form, when a missed diagnosis did not lead to a specific antileishmanial treatment. Regarding African and American trypanosomosis, patient returning from endemic countries should benefit from a specific diagnosis and care.