Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala azar): what it is and treatment

Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as bad luck, is a disease caused mainly by the protozoa Leishmania chagasi and Leishmania donovani, and occurs when the mosquito of the species Lutzomyia longipalpis, infected with a species of protozoa, bites a person and releases this parasite into the bloodstream. , causing the disease.

This type of leishmaniasis mainly affects children under the age of 10 and adults who have nutritional deficiencies, such as lack of hierarchy, vitamins and proteins, and live in areas where sanitary and hygienic conditions are poor. a fully formed immune system and, as a result, those with the greatest nutritional deficiencies and lower exposure to animals are more likely to become infected.

  • As a result of the bite of the mosquito that transmits the disease.
  • Protozoa spread to the bloodstream and organs responsible for blood cell formation and body immunity.
  • Such as blood.
  • Liver.
  • Lymph nodes.
  • And bone marrow.
  • Causing the following symptoms:.

Visceral leishmaniasis has an incubation period of 10 days to 2 years, as it is not a common disease and its symptoms appear gradually, these can be confused with other diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, Zika dengue fever, for example. , in the presence of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor so that the diagnosis can be made and appropriate treatment initiated.

It should be noted that skin lesions and ulcers are caused by another type of leishmaniasis, called skin or skin leishmaniasis.

The main reservoirs of protozoa responsible for the bad luck of dogs, so they are also considered the main source of mosquito infection, so when the mosquito bites the infected dog catches the protozoa, which grows in their body and can be transmitted to a healthy person through the bite of a mosquito. All dogs with Leishmania chagasi or Leishmania donovani, although they are more frequent than not regularly dewopared or receive ideal care.

When the parasite is in the mosquito’s body, it can easily grow and then travel to the salivary glands. When the infected mosquito bites a person, it stops the parasite in their salivary glands and into the bloodstream, easily spreading through the organs.

Diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis is performed by a parasitological examination, during which a culture of bone marrow, as well as the liver, is performed in order to observe one of the evolutionary forms of protozoa. Diagnosis could also be made, using immunological tests, such as ELISA, immunochromatographic tests, commonly referred to as rapid problems.

The disadvantage of immune problems is that, even after treatment, there may be enough antibody voices, indicating infection, however, in these cases, it is important for your doctor to control symptoms, although if there are not, treatment is not indicated. .

Treatment of leishmaniasis should be initiated whenever it can be done with specific medicines, such as Compaval Antimonial Pentavalentes, Amphoterin B and Pentamidine, which should be sent by the doctor and used in accordance with its recommendations.

When starting treatment, it is also important to receive certain care, such as the evaluation and stabilization of clinical conditions, such as malnutrition and bleeding, in addition to the treatment of other infections that accompany the disease, it may be necessary to remain hospitalized for intravenous medication, but in cases where the infection is stable and access to the hospital is easy, the doctor may suggest treatment at home and go to the hospital for follow-up appointments.

This disease needs to be treated quickly, as it gets worse within a few days and therefore the affected person may suffer vital stresses from certain complications, such as lung infection, respiratory failure, digestive bleeding, circulatory insufficiency or even due to opportunistic infections, viruses and bacteria.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *