User:Mr. Ibrahem/Visceral leishmaniasis

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Symptoms may include fever, weight loss, low red blood cells, and an enlarged liver and spleen. Complications may include post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis.

It is caused by parasites of the Leishmania type, specifically L. donovani in Asia and Africa and L. infantum in South America and the Middle East. It is spread by certain types of sandflies. Risk factors for severe disease include HIV. Diagnosis is based on symptoms and supported by blood tests.

Efforts to prevent the disease include eliminating or avoiding sandflies. Treatment is often with liposomal amphotericin B; however, in Africa sodium stibogluconate and paromomycin work better, though have greater side effects. Miltefosine may also be used. Without treatment, death typically occurs.

Visceral leishmaniasis most commonly occurs in India, east Africa, and Brazil. Often cases occur as outbreaks, newly affecting about 50,000 to 90,000 people a year. In 2019 it resulted in about 6,000 deaths. Effective treatment become available in 1922 when Upendranath Brahmachari made urea stibamine.