kala-azar /ka·la-azar/ (kah″lah-ah-zahr´) [Hindi] visceral leishmaniasis.
kala-azar
ka·la-a·zar (kä l --zär )n. |
kala-azar
[kä′lə äzär′]
Etymology: Hindi, kala, black; Assamese, azar, fever
a chronic and potentially fatal disease caused by the protozoan Leishmania donovani, transmitted to humans, particularly to children, by the bite of the sand fly. Kala-azar occurs primarily in Asia, parts of Africa, several South and Central American countries, and the Mediterranean region. The liver and spleen are the main sites of infection; signs and symptoms include anemia, hepatomegaly, splenomegaly, irregular fever, suppression of bone marrow, and emaciation. Patients with kala-azar are also susceptible to secondary bacterial infections. Untreated, the disease has an extremely high mortality. Treatment includes sodium antimony gluconate, blood transfusions (for anemia), bed rest, and adequate nutrition. Also called Assam fever, black fever, dumdum fever, ponos, visceral leishmaniasis. See also leishmaniasis.
kala-azar
see leishmaniasis.
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