RESUMO
During the last decade, kala-azar, which used to be a sporadic disease, became endemic in parts of East-Azerbaijan province in north-west Iran. Many of the 1051 cases observed between 1985 and 1990 were in the district of Meshkin-Shahr (800 cases). The diagnosis was based on symptoms and signs of the disease plus a positive serological test (indirect immunofluorescence assay or direct agglutination test) and, in some cases, the finding of parasites in bone marrow smears. About 90% of the cases were children under 5 years of age. The disease incidence in 1990 was almost ten times that in 1985. New cases are diagnosed throughout the year, but mostly from January till April. Cases were treated with meglumine antimoniate with very satisfactory results; deaths were few among the treated children.
PIP: Sporadic cases of kala-azar have appeared in East-Azerbaijan province, Iran, over the past fifty years. The number of cases began to increase, however, after the mid-1970s and large numbers have been reported from all parts of the country, but mainly in Meshkin-Shahr district. This paper describes the extent of human infection in the district over the period 1984-90, before the implementation of a control program in 1991. 1051 cases were observed in Meshkin-Shahr district hospital over the period 1985-90. 800 of the cases were from Meshkin-Shahr district, with more than 50% of cases being from the city and neighboring larger villages. 90% of cases were children under five years old. 35 cases were diagnosed in 1985 compared to 344 in 1990. New cases were diagnosed throughout the year, but mostly from January to April. Cases were treated with meglumine antimoniate with very satisfactory results; deaths were few among the treated children.