Visceral leischmaniasis in the Republic of Uzbekistan: clinic, diagnosis and treatment

• Mubarahon D. Akhmedova
• Fazliddin Kh. Gaybullayev

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease, endemic in more than 98 countries, with over 350 million people at risk of infection. The incidence in endemic areas exceeds the number of officially registered cases, due to challenges in laboratory diagnosis. In field conditions, an immunochromatographic rapid test can be used.

The aim was to study is to assess the clinical and laboratory features of visceral leishmaniasis in the Republic of Uzbekistan.

Material and methods. Seventy children with visceral leishmaniasis were examined. Blood samples were taken to qualitatively detect IgG to Leishmania by an immunochromatographic method (rK-39 test), and clini­cal and biochemical blood analyses were performed. The level of procalcitonin was tested. Parametric and non-parametric statistical methods (Excel 2016, Statistica 10) were utilized. The mean (M), standard deviation (σ), mean error (m), and extensive indicator (%) were calculated. Differences were considered statistically significant at p<0.05.

Results and discussion. All 70 (100%) children with visceral leishmaniasis exhibited pronounced hepatosplenomegaly accompanied by hyperthermia and severe anemia. In 92% of patients it was showed significant weight loss and increased abdominal volume due to hepatosplenomegaly

Conclusion. When suspecting visceral leishmaniasis, it is advisable to use the rK39 rapid test. A more favorable course of visceral leishmaniasis was observed in children with early stabilization of albumin levels (52.1±1.2 g/L) compared to those with hypoalbuminemia (46.3±1.2 g/L). Signs of bacterial infection were detected in 67.1% of children with visceral leishmaniasis, justifying the need for antibacterial therapy in this patient group.

Keywords: visceral leishmaniasis; clinic; diagnosis; rK-39; therapy

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