To evaluate efficacy and safety of amphotericin B in two different doses in the treatment of post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL).

Background: Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a skin disorder that usually occurs among patients with a past history of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Cases are also reported without a history of VL. There is no satisfactory treatment regimen available at present.

Repeated training of accredited social health activists (ASHAs) for improved detection of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Bihar, India.

Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs) are incentive-based, female health workers responsible for a village of 1000 population and living in the same community and render valuable services towards maternal and child health care, polio elimination program and other health care-related activities including visceral leishmaniasis (VL). One of the major health concerns is that cases remain in the endemic villages for weeks without treatment causing increased likelihood to treatment failure and disease transmission in the community. To address this problem, we have begun a training program for ASHAs to enhance early detection of potential VL cases and referring them to their local Primary Health Centers (PHCs) for diagnosis and treatment.

Comparative evaluation of PCR and imprint smear microscopy analyses of skin biopsy specimens in diagnosis of macular, papular, and mixed papulo-nodular lesions of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis.

Diagnosis of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), particularly the macular form, is difficult when based on microscopy. This study compared the results of nested PCR (91.9% positive samples) with imprint smear microscopy (70.

Microalbuminuria and glomerular filtration rate in paediatric visceral leishmaniasis.

Visceral leishmaniasis, caused by Leishmania donovani, is a serious form of leishmaniasis and fatal if untreated. Nearly half of the VL cases are children. There are very few studies of renal function in pediatric visceral leishmaniasis.

Evaluation of rK-39 strip test using urine for diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis in an endemic region of India.

The definitive diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) requires invasive procedures for demonstration of parasites in tissue smear or culture. These procedures need expertise and laboratory supports and cannot be performed in the field. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the existing rK-39 immunochromatographic nitrocellulose strips test (ICT) with some modification in human urine for diagnosis of VL.

A rare case of Visceral leishmaniasis with multiple relapse and multi-drug unresponsive: successfully treated with combination therapy.

Case: We report a 32-year old relapse case of Visceral leishmaniasis, treated with Paromomycin who belonged from a endemic zone of Bihar state, India. After confirmation, he was treated with Amphotericin B, followed by Liposomal Amphotericin B in full course and even in higher dose. But after each therapy, the patient either did not responded or relapsed after treatment.

A controlled, randomized nonblinded clinical trial to assess the efficacy of amphotericin B deoxycholate as compared to pentamidine for the treatment of antimony unresponsive visceral leishmaniasis cases in Bihar, India.

Background: There is significant variation in Amphotericin B (AMB) efficacy and relapses in antimony unresponsive visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases over a period of time (10-15 years). Keeping in mind the above mentioned view this study was undertaken with an objective to assess the magnitude of cure and relapse rates of AMB in the treatment of antimony unresponsive VL cases.

Methods: In a controlled, randomized nonblinded clinical trial, we evaluated the cure and relapse rate of Amphotericin B deoxycholate as compared to pentamidine.

Short report: Development of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) in miltefosine-treated visceral leishmaniasis.

We report two cases of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL), which had subsequently developed after successful treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with miltefosine. Both patients had maculo-nodular lesions all over the body, and they were diagnosed as PKDL by parasitologic examination for Leishmania donovani bodies in a skin snip of lesions. Patients were put on amphotericin B and responded very well for nodular lesions with one course of treatment.

Phase 4 trial of miltefosine for the treatment of Indian visceral leishmaniasis.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a major public health problem in Bihar, accounting for 90% of all cases in India. Development of high levels of resistance to various existing drugs necessitated the search for alternative orally administered drugs. Hospital-based studies have shown that oral miltefosine is a highly effective treatment for VL both in adults and in children.