– Caused by the Leishmania donovani parasite.
– Transmitted through: Sandfly (Phlebotomus species)
– Infective form: Promatigote
– Diagnostic form: Amastigote (in macrophage)
– Endemic region: East UP, West bengal, Bihar
Clinical features-
• Splenomegaly: Enlargement of the spleen
• Hepatomegaly: Enlargement of the liver
• Pallor: due to anemia (Pancytopenia)
• Fever
• Hyperpigmentation (Darkening of skin): referred to as “black fever”
Extra point: Splenomegaly seen in-
– Hairy cell leukaemia (HCL)
– CML
– Kala Azar
Histology-
• LD bodies (Amastigotes in Macrophages)
Diagnosis
• Blood test: Pancytopenia
• Card test: rk-39
• Culture: NNN
• Montenegro skin test: Type-4 Hypersensitivity
Tt. – Liposomal Amphotericin B INI-CET 2022
Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL):
• Skin lesions that may develop after successful treatment.
• Tt. – Miltefosine (oral)
