Question 1

What is Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)?

Accepted Answer

Visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, is a severe parasitic infection that affects vital organs including the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. It is caused by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum parasites transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies. The Leishmania Antibody (IgG) blood test is the most important test for diagnosis because it detects specific antibodies your immune system produces in response to these parasites.

Question 2

What causes visceral leishmaniasis?

Accepted Answer

Visceral leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum parasites that are transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. When an infected sandfly bites you, it injects the parasites into your bloodstream, where they travel to vital organs like your spleen, liver, and bone marrow. The disease is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly in parts of India, East Africa, South America, and the Mediterranean, where these sandflies thrive in warm climates.

Question 3

What is the best test for visceral leishmaniasis?

Accepted Answer

The Leishmania Antibody (IgG) blood test is the most important test for visceral leishmaniasis because it detects specific IgG antibodies that your immune system produces in response to Leishmania parasites. High levels of these antibodies in your blood strongly indicate an active infection and help distinguish visceral leishmaniasis from other conditions with similar symptoms like malaria or typhoid fever. This test is particularly valuable because it is non-invasive, widely available, and highly sensitive for detecting this serious parasitic infection that affects your vital organs. Early detection through antibody testing allows doctors to start anti-parasitic treatment quickly, which is essential for preventing life-threatening complications.

Question 4

When should I get tested for visceral leishmaniasis?

Accepted Answer

You should get tested if you have prolonged fever lasting more than two weeks, unexplained weight loss, or notice your abdomen becoming swollen or uncomfortable. Testing is especially important if you have traveled to or lived in areas where leishmaniasis is common, such as India, East Africa, Brazil, or Mediterranean countries, and you develop symptoms like persistent fatigue, weakness, or night sweats. You should also get tested if you have a weakened immune system and have been exposed to sandfly bites in endemic areas, as you are at higher risk for developing severe disease that requires immediate treatment.

Question 5

What are the symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis?

Accepted Answer

Visceral leishmaniasis causes prolonged irregular fever that comes and goes over weeks or months, often accompanied by significant weight loss and loss of appetite. You might notice your abdomen becoming enlarged and uncomfortable due to your spleen and liver swelling, and you may experience weakness and fatigue that progressively worsens. Other common symptoms include darkening of the skin (which is why it is called kala-azar, meaning black fever in Hindi), anemia causing pale skin, bleeding problems like nosebleeds or easy bruising, and increased susceptibility to other infections because the parasites damage your bone marrow and immune system.

Question 6

Who is at risk for visceral leishmaniasis?

Accepted Answer

People living in or traveling to endemic areas including India, Bangladesh, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Brazil, and Mediterranean countries are at highest risk for visceral leishmaniasis. Children under five years old and adults with weakened immune systems, including those with HIV/AIDS or taking immunosuppressive medications, are particularly vulnerable to developing severe disease. Outdoor workers, farmers, and military personnel who spend time in rural or forested areas where sandflies are active, especially during dusk and nighttime hours, face increased exposure risk. Malnutrition and poverty are significant risk factors because poor living conditions often coincide with sandfly habitats.

Question 7

What happens if visceral leishmaniasis is left untreated?

Accepted Answer

Untreated visceral leishmaniasis is fatal in over 95% of cases, usually within two years of symptom onset. The parasites progressively damage your spleen, liver, and bone marrow, leading to severe anemia, dangerous bleeding, and overwhelming secondary infections because your immune system becomes severely compromised. You can develop serious complications including liver failure, massive spleen enlargement that can rupture, severe malnutrition, and opportunistic infections like pneumonia or tuberculosis. Even with the high fatality rate, visceral leishmaniasis is highly treatable when diagnosed early, making prompt testing and treatment absolutely essential for survival.

Question 8

Can visceral leishmaniasis be diagnosed with a blood test?

Accepted Answer

Yes, visceral leishmaniasis can be diagnosed with the Leishmania Antibody (IgG) blood test, which detects specific antibodies your body produces against the parasites. This blood test is highly effective for confirming the diagnosis, especially when combined with your symptoms and travel history to endemic areas. In some cases, doctors may also use other diagnostic methods like bone marrow aspiration or spleen biopsy to directly visualize the parasites, but the antibody blood test is less invasive and widely used as the first-line diagnostic tool. Blood tests can also reveal associated problems like anemia, low white blood cell counts, and abnormal liver function that support the diagnosis.

Question 9

How is visceral leishmaniasis treated?

Accepted Answer

Visceral leishmaniasis is treated with specific anti-parasitic medications, with liposomal amphotericin B being the most effective and safest treatment option currently available. Other treatment options include miltefosine (an oral medication), paromomycin, and pentavalent antimonials, though the choice depends on the geographic region, drug resistance patterns, and individual patient factors. Treatment typically requires hospitalization, especially for severe cases, and may last several weeks with close monitoring for side effects and treatment response. After completing treatment, you will need follow-up blood tests and medical evaluations to ensure the parasites have been eliminated and to monitor for potential relapse, which can occur months or years later, particularly in people with weakened immune systems.

Question 10

How can I prevent visceral leishmaniasis?

Accepted Answer

You can prevent visceral leishmaniasis by avoiding sandfly bites through using insect repellents containing DEET, wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants when outdoors during dawn, dusk, and nighttime when sandflies are most active. Sleep under fine-mesh bed nets, preferably treated with insecticide, especially if you are in endemic areas, and avoid sleeping outdoors or in open structures where sandflies can easily access you. If you live in endemic areas, reduce sandfly breeding sites by clearing vegetation and organic debris around your home, and use indoor insecticide sprays or residual treatments on walls. There is currently no vaccine available for humans, though dog vaccination programs in some countries help reduce transmission since dogs serve as a major reservoir for the parasites.

Question 11

What can I do at home for visceral leishmaniasis?

Accepted Answer

While visceral leishmaniasis requires medical treatment with prescription anti-parasitic medications and cannot be cured with home remedies alone, you can support your recovery by maintaining good nutrition with protein-rich foods and adequate calories to combat weight loss and malnutrition. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, get adequate rest to help your body fight the infection, and take fever-reducing medications like acetaminophen as directed by your doctor to manage symptoms. It is essential to complete the full course of prescribed anti-parasitic treatment even if you start feeling better, and attend all follow-up appointments for blood tests to ensure the infection has been eliminated. If you live in an endemic area, protect yourself from future sandfly bites by using bed nets and insect repellents consistently.

Question 12

How’s this work?

Accepted Answer

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Question 13

How do I know which test to get?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

When will my lab results be available?

Accepted Answer

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Question 15

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Accepted Answer

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Question 16

Do you accept health insurance?

Accepted Answer

Only HSA & FSA is accepted.
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Question 17

Can I cancel my order?

Accepted Answer

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Question 18

How can I find a lab location near me?

Accepted Answer

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Visceral Leishmaniasis Blood Test

What is Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)?

What causes visceral leishmaniasis?

What is the best test for visceral leishmaniasis?

When should I get tested for visceral leishmaniasis?

References

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