Abstract

KALA AZAR- A PARASITIC DISEASE: AN OVERVIEW

Dr. Kiran B. Kotade*, Priyanka Shinde, Ramdas Dolas, Vinayak M. Gaware

ABSTRACT

Kala azar is the second largest parasitic killer in the world - only malaria is more deadly. Along with Chagas disease and sleeping sickness, kala azar is one of the most dangerous neglected tropical diseases. Leishmaniasis refers to the spectrum of infectious disease produced by species of the Leishmania parasite. Also known as Kalaazar means for black fever, (kala meaning black and azar meaning fever or disease). Kala azar is endemic in 47 countries with approximately 200 million people at risk of infection. Kala-azar in India is becoming increasingly difficult to treat, which may be due to the presence of species other than Leishmania Donovan. In spite of significant development in various areas of Leishmania research, there is a pressing need for the technological advancement in the understanding of immune response, drug resistance and the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis. An improved understanding in transmission variation of kalazar is fundamental to conduct surveillance and implementing disease prevention strategies.

Keywords: Kala azar, Leishmania, visceral leishmaniasis(VL).