What is post kala-azar?
What is post kala-azar?
Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a complication of visceral leishmaniasis (VL); it is characterised by a macular, maculopapular, and nodular rash in a patient who has recovered from VL and who is otherwise well.
What causes post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis?
Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a skin manifestation of infection caused by Leishmania donovani (LD) parasite. It develops mostly in patients who have been previously cured from visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Thus, it is considered as a complication of VL.
Can kala-azar lead to death?
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar is fatal if left untreated in over 95% of cases. It is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia.
Which organ is most affected by kala-azar?
Visceral leishmaniasis (also known as VL or kala-azar) affects internal organs such as the liver and spleen. VL is fatal if not treated. A condition called post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) may arise six months or more after apparent cure from VL.
What is the vector of kala azar?
Disease is caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. Phlebetomus argentipes (sand fly) is the vector transmitting Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in India.
What do you mean by PKDL?
Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a non-lethal complication of visceral leishmaniasis that can develop months or years after a person completes visceral leishmaniasis treatment. Symptoms can be severely disfiguring and stigmatizing; the characteristic skin rash often appears on the face.
What are Antimonial drugs?
Antimonials, in pre-modern medicine, were remedies principally containing antimony, used chiefly for emetic purposes. They might also have qualified for cathartic, diaphoretic, or simply alternative uses. Such treatments were considered unparalleled in their strength.
What causes PKDL?
Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a common complication of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by Leishmania donovani. Because of its possible role in transmission it is considered a public health problem in VL endemic areas.
What is the incubation period of kala azar?
Kala-azar being a chronic disease, incubation period significantly varies. Generally it varies from 1-4 months but in reality the range is from 10 days to 2 years, however in India the range varies from 4 months to 1 year.
Is leishmaniasis a virus or bacteria?
What is leishmaniasis? Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is found in parts of the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe. Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of infected sand flies. There are several different forms of leishmaniasis in people.
Is kala-azar contagious?
Leishmaniasis is not contagious person to person. Sand fly bites are necessary to transfer the parasite from the sand fly to the human. The sand fly is the vector for the disease. The protozoan parasite has a life cycle that requires development in both the sand fly and a mammal (human, dogs and others).
What is the incubation period for kala-azar disease?