This is the largest parasitic killer after malaria
Name
Leishmaniasis (also known as kala azar, black fever, and the “Aleppo evil”)
Transmission
- A parasitic disease that is categorized as a neglected tropical disease (NTD)
- The disease spreads when humans are infected with Leishmania parasites
- These parasites enter the body when people are bitten by an infected female sand fly
- Sand flies are smaller than mosquitoes and their bites can be painful
- There are several forms of the disease but the two most common are:
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis which causes skin sores
- The cutaneous form progresses into the more aggressive form known as visceral leishmaniasis (also called kala azar) which affects internal organs such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow
Geography
In more than 90 countries but especially in the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe
Incubation Period
Weeks to months
Signs and Symptoms
Some infected people do not have any symptoms. Common symptoms of the cutaneous form include:
- Skin lumps, bumps, or sores
- Skin ulcers
- Swollen glands
Common symptoms of the visceral form include:
- Weight loss
- Weakness
- Fever
- Abdominal discomfort
- Night sweats
Diagnosis
- Clinical signs along with blood tests can confirm the infection
- Samples of bone marrow or tissue can also be examined for the parasite
Treatment
- There is no vaccine to prevent the disease
- There are drugs available to treat visceral leishmaniasis and they are typically given as a 30 day course of injections but they can be toxic for patients
Prognosis
- As with most infections, early diagnosis and treatment improves patient outcomes
- The skin sores usually heal on their own but can take months or years to disappear
- Without treatment, most advanced visceral leishmaniasis cases are are fatal (95% die)
Prevention: What Can You Do?
- Decrease your chance of being bitten by sand flies when you are in affected regions:
- Avoid being outside from dusk to dawn because this is when sand flies are the most active
- If you have to be outside in an area with sand flies, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and socks
- Wear insect repellent on your skin and clothes and spray insecticide indoors
- Use bed nets (like mosquito nets)
Leishmaniasis In the News
- ‘The Aleppo Evil’ Is Making A Comeback
- Rare Parasitic Infection ‘Leishmaniasis’ Rising in the US
- Kala Azar: The Overlooked Killer
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/leishmaniasis/
http://www.who.int/leishmaniasis/en/
