Kala-azar (visceral Leishmaniasis) from Khotang

Abstract

Kala-azar is a chronic infection of reticuloendothelial system caused by flagellated protozoan, leishmania donovani injected into human host by the bite of the sand fly (phlebotomous) previously infected by biting and sucking the blood of a patient of leishmaniasis. It is characterized by irregular fever of long duration, large spleen and liver, anaemia, leucopenia and progressive emaciation. This article reports a case of a 10 year old girl from Khotang, a nonendemic zone for Kala-azar, who presented with long history of abdominal distension for 11 months, fever for 9 months, cough for a week and weight loss. Clinical examination revealed pallor, enlarged liver and huge splenomegaly. Investigations confirmed the diagnosis of kala-azar by the presence of L.D bodies in bone marrow smear. The patient is being treated with i.v Amphotericin B in Infectious Disease Hospital, Teku.