Advances in Clinical Diagnosis and Chemotherapy of Leishmaniasis in Kenya

摘要

The diagnosis of viceral leishmaniasis must be based upon a demonstration of the parasite in tissue of the patient. The best diagnostic test is a splenic aspirate, which is safe, highly sensitive and specific if the technique described in this paper is used and both smears and cultures of the aspirate are performed. Peripheral blood and nasal exudate have parasites in smears and/or cultures 75 and 40% of Kenyan visceral leishmaniasis patients, respectively. Sodium stibogluconate (Pentostam) is the preferred treatment for visceral leishmaniasis.