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Introduction of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)

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Spatial Mapping and Modelling for Kala-azar Disease

Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences ((BRIEFSMEEASC))

Abstract

This chapter begins with a summary of leishmaniasis in parallel with special emphasis on kala-azar. Kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a slow progressing indigenous disease caused by a protozoan parasite (Leishmania donovani, Leishmania infantum, and Leishmania archibaldi), with a mortality rate 75–95%. The parasite primarily infects the reticuloendothelial system and may be found in abundance in the bone marrow, spleen, and liver. Out of the 88 VL-affected countries, 72 countries are least developed countries, and 90% of kala-azar cases are recorded from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sudan. Approximately 600 Leishmania species have been identified in the Old World and New World. However, the prevalence of P. argentipes is observed throughout the year with two annual peak density. In India, VL is purely anthroponosis. A multifaceted aspect has seen the reemergence and transmission of kala-azar throughout the world.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. TPF Gentisa Euroestudios S L, Noida, Haryana, India

    Gouri Sankar Bhunia

  2. PG Department of Geography, Raja N. L. Khan Women’s College (Autonomous), Midnapore, West Bengal, India

    Pravat Kumar Shit

Authors
  1. Gouri Sankar Bhunia
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  2. Pravat Kumar Shit
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Bhunia, G.S., Shit, P.K. (2020). Introduction of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar). In: Spatial Mapping and Modelling for Kala-azar Disease. SpringerBriefs in Medical Earth Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41227-2_1

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