Managing visceral leishmaniasis

What you need to know?Aim to cure the patient, reduce the risk of relapse and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis, and prevent drug resistance from developingUntreated disease can cause infectious and haemorrhagic complications, and death in 90% of casesThe latest Pan American Health Organization guidelines recommend using liposomal amphotericin B (LAMB) for both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients with visceral leishmaniasis, avoiding miltefosine for Leishmania infantum infection, and avoiding pentavalent antimonials for immunocompromised patientsThe latest World Health Organization recommendations include a combination of LAMB and miltefosine for the treatment of patients coinfected with HIV and visceral leishmaniasis in South-East Asian and East African regionsSuccessful leishmaniasis elimination programmes have led to there being <1 case/10 000 population in endemic regions within several countries.123456 However, there are many endemic regions across the world,7 and, due to increased global travel and unrest, leishmaniasis cases are also presenting in non-endemic countries.89 This article summarises some of the... Read Original Article: Managing visceral leishmaniasis »