Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0024530 (malaria)
 44,886 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This paper reports on 164 cases of kala-azar observed in the Baringo District of Kenya between February 1981 and February 1983. All were confirmed serologically by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and all but 20 by parasitological examination as well. Following the standard treatment with a 30 day course of sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) two non-responders and four relapses were observed. Children between 2 and 15 years old were found to be the most affected age group; male patients predominated slightly at 57%. All cases occurred in the semi-arid and arid parts of the district below 1500 m, where pastoralism predominates. Besides scattered cases, certain kala-azar foci could be identified. Two of these--Endao with 49 households, 228 inhabitants and 13 cases of kala-azar, and Koriema with 22 households, 93 inhabitants and 11 cases--were subject to a house to house survey. People were examined physically, their weight and height recorded and fingerprick blood collected on blotting paper for later serological testing. Each household was mapped and the relevant environmental factors recorded. A positive correlation could be demonstrated between kala-azar cases and the vicinity of their homesteads to seasonal rivers and also between kala-azar cases and people living in timber houses, rather than mud and wattle houses. Eroded termite hills were not found to be of epidemiological importance. No satisfying explanation could be found for the striking temporal and local clustering of cases. The homestead was identified as an important site of transmission with optimum conditions for transmission occurring during supper in the evening. Based on spleen rates, Endao was classified as hyperendemic for malaria and Koriema as mesoendemic. Diagnostic ELISA values above 0.2 were observed in all cases of active kala-azar. However, ELISA values above 0.04, taken as the borderline non-specific reaction, could be found in about half of the study areas population. Therefore we conclude that asymptomatic infection must be common. Observations demonstrated that spontaneous recovery may follow clinical illness and visceralization of the parasite. Comparison of parasitological and serological data suggest that this may be expected in more than 15% of cases.
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PMID:Seroepidemiological study on kala-azar in Baringo District, Kenya. 302 67

South Sudan has 5 million inhabitants and has been fighting a war of independence with North Sudan since 1959. The hostilities have totally disrupted the society and its government. In this region, international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are cooperating in relief activities in Operation Life Line, providing assistance to semi-nomadic pastoral tribes such as the Nuers and the Dinkas. The NGO Doctors Without Borders assisted in fighting a major epidemic of kala azar in the late 1980s; it cost some 200,000 lives, half of the Nuers' total population. The report of these doctors flying to different spots in the South of the country recounted how medical consultations were carried out under trees where possible. Kala azar was treated with ampules of Pentostam, and brucellosis patients were picked from the waiting group. Tuberculosis, whose indications are heavy coughing and expectoration, was also rampant. The abscess of a woman caused by a human bite was treated under local anesthesia with ketamine. The team had examined 70 patients by midday. In Duar, a site where Doctors Without Borders has treated 20,000 kala azar patients, basic health care and vaccinations were performed. In a marshy region, the Dinkas allow their livestock to graze, and there is a small but acceptable clinic in this location to which 3 patients with cerebral malaria were admitted by noon. There were also many TB patients. The doctors prescribed routine medications before conducting further examinations.
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PMID:[Sudan, through the back door]. 985 45

The kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has succeeded in bringing the reported numbers of Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases from hundreds during the 1980s and 1990s to zero case in 2019. The endemicity of VL has been confined mainly to the Southwest regions, namely Jazan and Aseer regions. Leishmania donovani species have been identified as the causative species of VL, while L. infantum have been isolated only from dogs in the endemic areas. Many species of sand flies were caught in Southwest, but P. orientalis is the probable transmitter of the disease. The black rat (Rattus ratus) was found to be contributing to maintenance of the parasite life cycle. VL is primarily a disease of children, and 80% of cases were Saudi's, while cases from Yeminis nationality represent the majority of non- Saudi patients. The common clinical presentation consist of chronic fever, abdominal distention, weight loss, anemia and hepatosplenomegaly. Laboratory findings include: anemia, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, hyperproteinaemia and hypergammaglobulinemia, low serum iron, and abnormal liver enzymes. Occurrence of jaundice has been identified as a bad prognostic sign. Diagnosis relying on direct smears from bone marrow aspirates was the commonest tool used, and also is advocated by the National Leishmaniasis Control Program (NLCP). Sodium stibogluconate (SSG) is the main drug used to treat VL cases, while Ambisome is preserved for complicated cases. Chemical control of sand flies using indoor residual spraying (IRS) with synthetic pyrethroids has been the most effective measure applied to prevent vector-human contact and disease transmission. The geographical overlap of VL and Malaria has facilitated the adoption and implementation of integrated vector control strategies. After reaching a zero case in 2019, the Ministry of Health (MoH) has a new commitment and facing a great challenge which are maintenance of current situation and elimination of VL. Through the support of stakeholders, encouragement of community participation, preparedness and readiness of leishmaniasis personnel, the new mission of the NLCP now is elimination of the scourge of VL from the country.
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PMID:Visceral leishmaniasis in Saudi Arabia: From hundreds of cases to zero. 3295 Apr 81