Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in visceral leishmaniasis-endemic communities in Bihar, India

Rudra Pratap Singh; Albert Picado; Shahnawaz Alam; Epco Hasker; Shri Prakash Singh; Bart Ostyn; François Chappuis; Shyam Sundar; Marleen Boelaert

doi:10.1111/tmi.12044

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in visceral leishmaniasis-endemic communities in Bihar, India

Trop Med Int Health. 2012 Dec 28. doi: 10.1111/tmi.12044. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Rudra Pratap Singh¹, Albert Picado, Shahnawaz Alam, Epco Hasker, Shri Prakash Singh, Bart Ostyn, François Chappuis, Shyam Sundar, Marleen Boelaert

Affiliation

¹ Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India.

PMID: 23279744
DOI: 10.1111/tmi.12044

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in 16 visceral leishmaniasis-endemic communities in Bihar, India. METHODS: Three-stage house-to-house survey of 2020 households to identify and confirm PKDL cases. RESULTS: The prevalence of confirmed PKDL cases was 4.4 per 10 000 individuals and 7.8 if probable cases were also considered. The clinical history and treatment of the PKDL cases are discussed in detail. CONCLUSION: PKDL can develop in visceral leishmaniasis patients treated with different anti-leishmanial drugs. Migration of PKDL cases to other villages may expand visceral leishmaniasis-affected areas.