Visceral Leishmaniasis

Resistance to visceral leishmaniasis: New mechanisms involved

Researchers from CNRS, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier and IRD have elucidated new molecular mechanisms involved in resistance to visceral leishmaniasis, a serious parasitic infection. They have shown that dectin-1 ...

Immunology created May 16, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Kala-azar treatment failing in Nepal

In a recent study, scientists have concluded that the cure rates of Miltefosine, the only oral drug for visceral leishmaniasis available, have significantly decreased. Miltefosine was introduced in the Indian subcontinent ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Mar 01, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Genetics discovery to help fight 'black fever'

Scientists—including a geneticist at The University of Western Australia—are a step closer to developing a vaccine against a fatally infectious parasite carried in the bite of sandflies.

Genetics created Jan 08, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Rare human parasite found in US horse for the first time, researchers report

(Medical Xpress)—A rare, potentially fatal species of parasite never before found in North America has been identified in a Florida horse.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Nov 16, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Open access initiative reveals drug hits for deadly neglected tropical diseases

The Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) and Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV) announce today the identification of three chemical series targeting the treatment of deadly neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), through ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Nov 13, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Belgian scientists develop way to detect superparasites

Belgian scientists of the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium made a breakthrough in bridging high tech molecular biology research on microbial pathogens and the needs of the poorest of ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Jul 19, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Vaccine against black fever being tested

After more than two decades of research, scientists are testing the first vaccine against the deadliest form of a disease that infects more than 12 million people worldwide.

Medications created Apr 23, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

First vaccine against fatal visceral leishmaniasis enters clinical trial

The first clinical trial of a new vaccine for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been launched by the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), a Seattle-based nonprofit that develops products to prevent, detect, and treat ...

Medications created Feb 23, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Old drug shows new promise to treat leishmaniasis

(Medical Xpress) -- A study published yesterday shows that a drug called fexinidazole could potentially be used to treat visceral leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that kills 50 000 to 60 000 people ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Feb 02, 2012 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Major project to implement new treatments to boost kala-azar elimination strategies

A comprehensive four-year project including over 10,000 patients in clinical and pharmacovigilance studies for diagnosis and treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL, also known as kala-azar) in India and Bangladesh was launched ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Nov 07, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

A disproportionate burden of neglected tropical diseases found in India and South Asia

The open-access journal PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases today published a comprehensive report showcasing the disproportionately high burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in India and South Asia. These diseases of pov ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Oct 26, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

A novel oral treatment for leishmaniasis has potential to save thousands of lives

A tropically stable liquid therapy for leishmaniasis, a disease known as the Baghdad boil, shows a significant decrease in infection after less than a week of treatment. This research is being presented at the 2011 American ...

Medications created Oct 24, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

New treatment for kala azar, the most deadly parasitic disease after malaria

East Africa is fighting the worst kala azar outbreak in a decade. Collaboration across the region through the Leishmaniasis East Africa Platform (LEAP) has resulted in the development of a new combination therapy (SSG&PM) ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Sep 23, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Study of health in Brazil highlights major progress

Major progress has been made in reducing the burden of infectious diseases in Brazil as part of a "remarkable" success story for health in the South American country, according to researchers on a series of papers published ...

Health created May 09, 2011 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Beautiful creatures: Lainson and his parasites

In 1965, Ralph Lainson left London for Brazil with a three-year Wellcome Trust grant. He never came back. What was it about tropical Brazil that appealed to the young man? The parasites, of course.

Other created Apr 12, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0


  • Pages: 1

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, black fever, and Dumdum fever,:426 is the most severe form of leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. This disease is the second-largest parasitic killer in the world (after malaria), responsible for an estimated 500,000 cases each year worldwide. 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.

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