Clinical and immunological aspects of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Bangladesh

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2013 Aug;89(2):345-53. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.12-0711. Epub 2013 Jul 1.

Abstract

We conducted active surveillance for kala-azar and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in a population of 24,814 individuals. Between 2002 and 2010, 1,002 kala-azar and 185 PKDL cases occurred. Median PKDL patient age was 12 years; 9% had no antecedent kala-azar. Cases per 10,000 person-years peaked at 90 for kala-azar (2005) and 28 for PKDL (2007). Cumulative PKDL incidence among kala-azar patients was 17% by 5 years. Kala-azar patients younger than 15 years were more likely than older patients to develop PKDL; no other risk factors were identified. The most common lesions were hypopigmented macules. Of 98 untreated PKDL patients, 48 (49%) patients had resolution, with median time of 19 months. Kala-azar patients showed elevated interferon-γ (IFNγ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), and interleukin 10 (IL-10). Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP9/tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP1) ratio were significantly higher in PKDL patients than in other groups. PKDL is frequent in Bangladesh and poses a challenge to the current visceral leishmaniasis elimination initiative in the Indian subcontinent.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Bangladesh / epidemiology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Collagenases / blood
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / drug therapy
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / epidemiology
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / immunology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / pathology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / complications*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors / blood
  • Middle Aged
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Cytokines
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibitors
  • Collagenases