| Visceral leishmaniasis |
Date Written |
2007 |
| Author |
Joe Holmes |
Date Revised |
June 16,2009 |
1. Visceral leishmaniasis
(VL), also known as kala-azar, black fever, and Dumdum fever,[1]:426
is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a disease
caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. It is the
second-largest parasitic killer in the world (after malaria), responsible
for an estimated 500,000 cases each year worldwide.[2] The parasite
migrates to the internal organs such as liver, spleen (hence 'visceral)'
and bone marrow and if left untreated will almost always result
in the death of the host. Signs and symptoms include fever, weight
loss, mucosal ulcers, fatigue, anemia and substantial swelling of
the liver and spleen. Of particular concern, according to the World
Health Organization (WHO), is the emerging problem of HIV/VL co-infection.[3]
(1)
Berberry
is reported to help kill this parasite
|