Visceral leishmaniasis: a study of 73 cases in Ahwaz

ABSTRACT

Seventy three cases [47 male and 26 female] of Kala azar were diagnosed within 8 years [1983-1990]. 70 patients were under the age of 10 years [95.9%] and 3 were above 10 [4.1%]. The youngest patient was at the age of 5 months and the oldest was 40 years. Diagnosis was based on observation of Leishman bodies in Giemsa stained smears prepared from bone marrow aspiration specimen. All of the patients had hepatosplenomegaly. In 71 patients [95.8%], the hemoglobin level was under 10 mg/100 ml. The haematocrit under 30% was present in 79.4% [58 patients]. 66 [90.4%] patients were leukopenic and 79% showed lymphocytosis. The patients were living in different cities or villages of Khoozestan Province, predominantly from Izeh and Masjedsoleiman cities