Increasing incidence of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in a population-based study in Bangladesh

Clin Infect Dis. 2010 Jan 1;50(1):73-6. doi: 10.1086/648727.

Abstract

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) occurs after kala-azar treatment and acts as a durable infection reservoir. On the basis of active case finding among 22,699 respondents, 813 (3.6%) had had kala-azar since 2002, of whom 79 (9.7%) developed PKDL. Eight additional patients with PKDL had no history of kala-azar. Annual kala-azar incidence peaked at 85 cases per 10,000 person-years in 2004 and fell to 46 cases per 10,000 person-years in 2007, but PKDL incidence rose from 1 case per 10,000 person-years in 2002-2004 to 21 cases per 10,000 person-years in 2007. The rising PKDL incidence threatens the regional visceral leishmaniasis elimination initiative and underscores the urgent need for more effective PKDL diagnosis and treatment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / epidemiology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / etiology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / complications
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / epidemiology*
  • Male
  • Surveys and Questionnaires