Asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis, Northern Israel

Asymptomatic human visceral leishmaniasis was identified in Israel, by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Positive serum samples were more prevalent in visceral leish-maniasis-endemic (2.97%) compared to nonendemic (1.01%) regions (p=0.021). Parasite exposure was higher than expected, despite the small number of clinical cases, suggesting factors other than infection per se influence clinical outcome.