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Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis (kala-azar) · Leishmanióza

What it is

Parasites spread by sandflies — around the Mediterranean too: skin ulcers that scar, or kala-azar, a fever with a huge spleen that kills if untreated.

Symptoms & signs

  • Painless ulcer where bitten, slowly growing (skin form)
  • long fever and weight loss (visceral form)
  • huge spleen and liver
  • anaemia
  • darkened skin

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Bleeding gums or nose with pale skin and fever
  • see a doctor soon Fever for weeks with weight loss and a swollen belly
  • see a doctor soon Skin sore that grows for weeks after a trip or sandfly bites
  • see a doctor soon Sores inside the nose or mouth after an old skin ulcer

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Smear, biopsy or PCR
  • liposomal amphotericin B
  • miltefosine
  • antimonials
  • local freezing or heat for skin sores

Natural & lifestyle

  • Bed nets and repellent at dusk
  • treat dogs, the reservoir

Emerging & experimental

  • Vaccines
  • new oral drugs

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Honey and garlic dressings — small studies on skin ulcers early / small studies
  • Herbal pastes — traditional; untested anecdotal / traditional
  • Curcumin — lab studies against the parasite early / small studies

ICD codes