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Showing papers on "Visceral leishmaniasis published in 1977"


Journal Article
TL;DR: Depletion of small lymphocytes in thymus-dependent regions of lymph nodes and spleen is viewed as arising from immune suppression associated with antigen overloading or other factors, which may impair those aspects of lymphocyte-macrophage cooperation that are presumably necessary to kill the invading parasites.
Abstract: Histological appearances of the spleen and lymph nodes were analysed in twenty fatal cases of human visceral leishmaniasis from Sudan. Marked atrophy of the splenic white pulp was associated with necrosis and fibrosis of thymus-dependent area, accumulation of parasite-containing histiocytes and plasma cell hyperplasia. Depletion of small lymphocytes in the paracortical areas of the lymph nodes was accomplained by proliferation of plasma cells and histiocytes in the paracortex. Depletion of small lymphocytes in thymus-dependent regions of lymph nodes and spleen is viewed as arising from immune suppression associated with antigen overloading or other factors, which may impair those aspects of lymphocyte-macrophage cooperation that are presumably necessary to kill the invading parasites.

85 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the Leishmanial excreted factor (EF) serotypes in Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia were investigated and the results showed that EF serotypes were more prevalent in Sudan and Kenya than in Ethiopia.
Abstract: (1977). Leishmanial excreted factor (EF) serotypes in Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia. Annals of Tropical Medicine & Parasitology: Vol. 71, No. 3, pp. 273-294.

77 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
14 Apr 1977-Nature
TL;DR: This work reports here the first experimental transmissions of the parasite by laboratory-bred Lu.
Abstract: THE phlebotomine sandfly Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva (Diptera: Psychodidae) has long been suspected to be the vector of Leishmania chagasi Marques da Cunha & Chagas, in the principal foci of human visceral leishmaniasis (‘kala azar’) in Latin America1. In general, the distribution of this sandfly coincides with the human disease, and the insect is a common domestic or peri-domestic species which feeds avidly on man. Lu. longipalpis has been found naturally infected with promastigote flagellates which could have been those of L. chagasi2–3, but on none of these occasions was the parasite inoculated into susceptible laboratory animals and its true identity remains unknown. Previous attempts to experimentally transmit L. chagasi by the bite of Lu. longipalpis have failed4. We report here the first experimental transmissions of the parasite by laboratory-bred Lu. longipalpis, thus providing further evidence that this sandfly is a major vector of American visceral leishmaniasis.

71 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: The comparative hematological profile as well as the importance of bone marrow and electron microscopic examinations of the spleen and liver in diagnosis are discussed and the potential public health hazard of leishmaniasis to North America and particularly to Canada is considered.
Abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis was diagnosed in a dog that had been living with his owners in Spain for two years. Clinical diagnosis was somewhat delayed as the disease is largely unknown to Canada and was manifested by a nonresponsive anemia which was not easily explained on peripheral blood evaluation alone, and concomitant interstitial nephritis. On post mortem examination splenomegaly was the main gross pathological finding. Light microscopic examination of bone marrow aspirates and subsequent electron microscopic examination of splenic and hepatic tissues revealed numerous Leishman-Donovan bodies in cells of the reticuloendothelial system. Parasitized reticuloendothelial cells were seen singly or forming granulomata. These latter did not contain giant cells and were confined mainly to the liver and spleen, being sparse and single in the first but extremely numerous and coalescing in the latter. Accumulation of intrafollicular hyaline material was seen in a small number of splenic follicles. Leishman-Donovan bodies on electron microscopic examination had a trilaminar periplast, a large round nucleus with heavy blocks of marginated chromatin and two nucleoli, a short flagellum and a kinetoplast. Lymph nodes and bone marrow had numerous parasitized macrophages but no granulomata. Leishman-Donovan bodies were not detected in the lungs and kidneys both of which exhibited a chronic intersitital reaction. The comparative hematological profile as well as the importance of bone marrow and electron microscopic examinations of the spleen and liver in diagnosis are discussed. The potential public health hazard of leishmaniasis to North America and particularly to Canada is considered.

67 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Generalized visceral leishmaniasis is described, which results from infection with Leishmania donovani and is endemic in parts of China, the Indian subcontinent, the Mediterranean littoral, East Africa, and South America.
Abstract: generalized visceral leishmaniasis. The leishmaniases are endemic in many areas of the world, and it has recently been estimated that 12 million individuals have different forms of this protozoan infection. Leishmania invade the reticuloendothelial cells, and the resulting disease is determined both by the parasite species and by the host response [1]. In central Asia, India, the Mediterranean littoral, and West Africa, cutaneous leishmaniasis or "Oriental sore" is caused by Leishmania tropica. In Central and South America, Leishmania mexicana and Leishmania braziliensis infections result in cutaneous ulcers that may spread to mucous membranes and cause severely mutilating facial lesions, e.g., "chiclero ulcer" and "espundia." Visceral leishmaniasis or "kala azar" results from infection with Leishmania donovani and is endemic in parts of China, the Indian subcontinent, the Mediterranean littoral, East Africa, and South America [2]. In the United States, three cases of autochthonous dermal leishmaniasis have been reported in Texas with serological evidence of infections due to Leishmania in dogs from the same area [3]. A total of several hundred cases of visceral leishmaniasis have

41 citations




Journal Article
TL;DR: The authors present the results of a survey on visceral leishmaniasis in the Grande Kabylie region (Algeria) and the endemicity ecological factors are discussed and a control program is proposed.
Abstract: The authors present the results of a survey on visceral leishmaniasis in the Grande Kabylie region (Algeria). With a 2.6 human cases per 100,000 annual prevalence, and a 11.4 per cent incidence of canine leishmaniasis, the Grande Kabylie appears to be the most important focus of visceral leishmaniasis in North Africa. The endemicity ecological factors are discussed and a control program is proposed.

6 citations


Journal Article
TL;DR: Ten cases of Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) have been studied and response to therapy with antimony compounds have been observed and found satisfactory.
Abstract: Ten cases of Post-Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) have been studied. The sites of involvement and morphological character have been noted. Skin scraping, biopsy, serological and biochemical changes have been looked for. Presence of visceral leishmaniasis along with PKDL had been searched. Response to therapy with antimony compounds have been observed and found satisfactory. Visceral leishmaniasis although not frequent now a days, the incidence of PKDL is still prevalent to some extent in this country.

5 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
Gino Schilirò1, Antonio Russo1, L Mauro1, Salvatore Musumeci1, Russo G1 
TL;DR: Nitroblue tetrazolium test in nine children with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) showed no increase of spontaneous reduction by neutrophils, and normal bactericidal activity of four of these patients excludes an impaired function of the neutrophil in VL.
Abstract: Nitroblue tetrazolium test in nine children with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) showed no increase of spontaneous reduction by neutrophils. The normal bactericidal activity of four of these patients excludes an impaired function of the neutrophils in VL.

5 citations



Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Monitoring of a 3-year-old American child's response to therapy suggested that serial bone marrow cultures and the neutrophil response may be sensitive means for following the course of this infection.
Abstract: Reported is a case of visceral leishmaniasis acquired in Greece by a 3-year-old American child. Untreated, this protozoan infection causes a high mortality. Specific treatment is available, making early recognition of the illness important. This child's infection responded dramatically to a course of sodium antimony gluconate. Repeat bone marrow cultures demonstrated persistent organisms and a second course of treatment was required. Monitoring of his response to therapy suggested that serial bone marrow cultures and the neutrophil response may be sensitive means for following the course of this infection.