BACKGROUND: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in several areas in the 
Sudan. The disease is associated with depressed cellular immunity. Tinea 
versicolor is a normal commensal of the skin which can become pathogenic 
particularly in patients with depressed cell-mediated immunity. Patients with VL 
have a high prevalence of tinea versicolor.
METHODS: One hundred and thirty patients with parasitologic confirmation of VL 
were screened for tinea versicolor infection. In the suspected cases the 
diagnosis was made by demonstrating the fungal hyphae and spores in skin 
scrapings. All patients were treated with sodium stibogluconate.
RESULTS: Of the 130 patients with VL, 10.8% were found to have severe tinea 
versicolor. The fungal infection developed or became worse with the start of VL. 
After successful treatment of VL, the tinea lesions disappeared completely or 
decreased in severity.
CONCLUSIONS: Depressed cell-mediated immunity that is a feature of VL is the 
probable underlying cause for fungal infection. Tinea infection during the 
course of VL is to be distinguished from lesions of post-kala-azar dermal 
leishmaniasis.