Kala-Azar in Iraq: treatment of relapsing cases by splenectomy

Kala-azar is an endemic disease in Iraq, caused by the parasite Leishmania donovani, It was found to be of mediterranean varient which affects children only. The patients are usually responding to the treatment with triantimony sodium gluconate. In some of the treated cases the disease relapses within few months of therapy and a second course of therapy is needed. In this paper we report two cases of relapsing kala-azar despite repeated medical treatment, managed successfully by splenectomy

Intraperitoneal rupture of hydatid disease

Hydatid disease is still endemic in many parts of the world. The liver is affected more than other organs in the body. It is characterized by its latency. The disease is a slowly growing cyst that may remain dormant for a long period of time before it gives rise to symptoms. The symptoms sometimes arise when complications supervene. Rupture is the commonest complication. The cyst may rupture into the biliary system, into the peritoneal cavity, into the thorax or into an adjacent viscus. Intraperitoneal rupture has been discussed