Visceral disease, the most devastating and fatal form of leishmaniasis, is classically known as kala-azar or the Indian name for “black fever/disease,” which is a reference to the characteristic darkening of the skin that is seen in patients with this condition.

Why is it called black fever?

It is transmitted through the bite of the sandfly (Phlebotomus argentipes) infected with the parasite Leishmania donovani. It causes emaciation, enlargement of the spleen and liver, anaemia and fever, and in chronic cases leads to darkening of the skin, hence the name.

Why is kala-azar called a black disease?

Recurrent fever intermittent or remittent with often double rise of temperature. Skin – Dry, thin and scaly and hair may be lost. Light colored person show grayish discoloration of the skin of hands, feet, abdomen and face which gives the Indian name Kala-Azar meaning “Black fever”.

Is kala-azar and black fever same?

The term "kala-azar" comes from India where it is the Hindi for black fever. The disease is also known as Indian leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis, leishmania infection, dumdum fever, black sickness, and black fever.

Which is known as black fever?

Kala-azar was first discovered in Bengal (encompassing today's Bangladesh and parts of India, including, during the colonial era, Bihar), where it received its name, which means “black fever” in Hindi. It causes fever, weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and anaemia.

KILLER DISEASES | A History of Leishmaniasis

33 related questions found

What is the other name of kala-azar?

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar is fatal if left untreated in over 95% of cases. It is characterized by irregular bouts of fever, weight loss, enlargement of the spleen and liver, and anaemia.

Is India free from kala azar?

India has already missed the kala-azar elimination target thrice in the last decade. The initial deadline set by the National Health Programme (now NHM) was 2010, which was pushed to 2015 in the 12th Financial Plan Document. This deadline was later extended twice — to 2017, and then to 2020.

Is kala azar eradicated from India?

The eradication of kala azar in India is achievable and there are favorable circumstances for doing so. Humans are the only reservoir host in this region for the parasite causing the disease. The only way the disease spreads from human to human is by one insect in the region, Phlebotomus argentipes.

Which protozoan causes kala azar?

Kala-Azar is a slow progressing indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania. In India Leishmania donovani is the only parasite that causes this disease. The parasite primarily infects the reticulo-endothelial system and may be found in abundance in bone marrow, spleen and liver.

What causes kalaazar?

Kala azar is caused by bites from female phlebotomine sandflies – the vector (or transmitter) of the leishmania parasite. The sand flies feed on animals and humans for blood, which they need for developing their eggs.

How is black fever diagnosed?

The most common serological tests used in the diagnosis of kala–azar are the DAT and the rk39 dipstick tests. These tests indicate the presence of antibodies against Leishmania, therefore confirming the parasite (antigen) is, or was, present in the body.

Why is it called Leishmania donovani?

Leishmania donovani is a species of intracellular parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania, a group of haemoflagellate kinetoplastids that cause the disease leishmaniasis. It is a human blood parasite responsible for visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar, the most severe form of leishmaniasis.

Who discovered kala-azar fever?

Kala-azar was a lethal disease in colonial India. Charles Donovan of the Indian Medical Service (IMS) in Madras discovered the parasite independently in 1903 while William Boog Leishman was carrying out his research in Great Britain.

When did the black fever start?

The Black Death was a devastating global epidemic of bubonic plague that struck Europe and Asia in the mid-1300s. The plague arrived in Europe in October 1347, when 12 ships from the Black Sea docked at the Sicilian port of Messina.

What is the vector of kala-azar?

Disease is caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani. Phlebetomus argentipes (sand fly) is the vector transmitting Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in India.

Where is sandfly found in India?

The study was conducted in the Saran District, Bihar, India, approximately 30 km northwest of Patna. Two villages, Mahesia and Sutihaar, in which sandflies had been previously collected from outlying village vegetation (Poché et al., 2011) and palmyra palm trees (Poché et al., 2012), respectively, were selected.

Where are sandflies found in India?

Approximately 90% of cases in India occur in Bihar [4]. The known vector of VL in the Indian subcontinent is the sand fly species Phlebotomus argentipes [5–6] which transmits the pathogen (Leishmania donovani) anthroponotically with no known animal reservoir [7].

What disease does sandfly cause?

Parasites - Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is found in parts of the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe. It is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies.

How kala azar was eliminated?

Evidence-based practices to drive kala-azar elimination

early diagnosis and complete treatment; integrated vector management, including indoor residual spraying; advocacy, communication for behavioural impact and inter-sectoral convergence; surveillance, supervision, monitoring and evaluation, and.

Is kala azar contagious?

Leishmaniasis is not contagious person to person. Sand fly bites are necessary to transfer the parasite from the sand fly to the human. The sand fly is the vector for the disease. The protozoan parasite has a life cycle that requires development in both the sand fly and a mammal (human, dogs and others).

Who Targeted removing kala azar?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target to eliminate visceral leishmaniasis (VL), commonly known as “Kala-azar,” as a public health problem in India by 2020. The elimination target is defined as achieving less than 1 case per 10,000 people at the block level.

What is the second largest parasitic killer in the world?

Kala azar (also known as visceral leishmaniasis) is the second largest parasitic killer in the world—only malaria is more deadly.

Which organ is severely affected in kala-azar?

Visceral leishmaniasis (also known as VL or kala-azar) affects internal organs such as the liver and spleen. VL is fatal if not treated. A condition called post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) may arise six months or more after apparent cure from VL.

Is splenomegaly seen in kala-azar?

The classical presentation of Kala Azar includes fever, asthenia, weight loss, anemia, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly and sometimes adenopathy Splenomegaly appears early and is almost invariably present. Spleen size increases gradually in relation to the duration of the disease.