Kala

Kala-azar

Kala-azar (/'kɑːlə əˈzɑːr/), also known as visceral leishmaniasis or black fever, is a parasitic disease caused by the Leishmania donovani complex.

Etymology

The term "kala-azar" is derived from the Bengali words "kala", meaning "black", and "azar", meaning "disease". This name was given due to the darkening of the skin that occurs in some forms of the disease.

Symptoms

Symptoms of kala-azar include fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver. If left untreated, the disease can be fatal.

Transmission

Kala-azar is transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The disease is endemic in parts of Asia, Africa, and South America.

Treatment

Treatment for kala-azar typically involves a course of antiparasitic drugs. In some cases, liposomal amphotericin B is used.

Prevention

Prevention strategies for kala-azar include the use of insecticide-treated bed nets and the control of sandfly populations.

Related Terms

• Leishmaniasis
• Cutaneous leishmaniasis
• Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Kala
• Wikipedia's article - Kala

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