Visceral Leishmaniasis: Recent Advances in Diagnostics and Treatment Regimens

Johan van Griensven; Ermias Diro

doi:10.1016/j.idc.2018.10.005

Visceral Leishmaniasis: Recent Advances in Diagnostics and Treatment Regimens

Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2019 Mar;33(1):79-99. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.10.005.

Authors

Johan van Griensven¹, Ermias Diro²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nationalestraat 155, Antwerp 2000, Belgium. Electronic address: jvangriensven@itg.be.
² Department of Internal Medicine, University of Gondar, Post Office Box 196, Gondar, Ethiopia.

PMID: 30712769
DOI: 10.1016/j.idc.2018.10.005

Abstract

Diagnostic advances in visceral leishmaniasis include the development of the rK39 and rK28 rapid diagnostic test. The direct agglutination test is also increasingly used, as well as conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction, which also performs well on peripheral blood. The choice of treatment for visceral leishmaniasis depends on the geographic region where the infection is acquired. Liposomal amphotericin B is generally found to be safe and effective in most endemic regions of the world; antimonials still remain to be the most effective in eastern Africa despite its high toxicity. Combination therapy is increasingly explored. Immunosuppressed patients require adapted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Diagnosis; Treatment; Visceral leishmaniasis.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Amphotericin B / therapeutic use
Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
Clinical Trials as Topic
Humans
Leishmaniasis, Visceral / diagnosis*
Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
Molecular Diagnostic Techniques*

Substances

Antiprotozoal Agents
liposomal amphotericin B
Amphotericin B