Recently while experimenting with solutions of various dye stuffs on kala-azar serum, we observed that when solutions of methylene blue were left in contact with kala-azar serum, the dye gradually decolourised. We have tried out various strengths of methylene blue solutions varying from 1 in 2,000 to 1 in 80,000 and obtained the most satisfactory results when working with a solution of 1 in 40,...

Sir,?Major P. Savage, i.m.s., in the June number of your journal lias recorded the apparent occurrence of indigenous kala-azar at Sanawar in the Simla Hills, where up to that time the presence of Phlcbotomus argcntipcs, the suspected carrier of kala-azar, had not been reported. It is, therefore, of interest to note that in a collection of Phlcbotomus from Sanawar village, kindly given me by Cap...

Antigenic characterization of the soluble fraction of axenic amastigotes of Leishmania donovani ( strain Dd8, causative agent of Indian kala-azar) and their comparison with promastigotes is reported. The axenic amastigotes were assessed for their immunological status employing anti-A2 monoclonal antibody which is extremely specific for L. donovani amastigotes. SDS-PAGE of 35[S] methionine label...

The immunological mechanisms underlying the susceptibility to disseminated visceral parasitism of mononuclear phagocytes in patients with kala-azar remain undefined. Resistance and susceptibility are correlated with distinct patterns of cytokine production in murine models of disseminated leishmanial disease. To assess lesional cytokine profiles in patients with kala-azar, bone marrow aspirates...

Leishmaniasis, an infectious disease endemic in tropical, Asian and southern European countries, is caused by obligate intramacrophage protozoa and is transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. More than 20 leishmanial species are responsible for four main clinical syndromes: cutaneous leishmaniasis; mucocutaneous leishmaniasis; visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, a...

Remote sensing and geographical information technologies were used to discriminate areas of high and low risk for contracting kala-azar or visceral leishmaniasis. Satellite data were digitally processed to generate maps of land cover and spectral indices, such as the normalised difference vegetation index and wetness index. To map estimated vector abundance and indoor climate data, local polyno...

The parasitic disease kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis, VL) was first described in 1824 in Jessore district, Bengal (now Bangladesh). Epidemic peaks were recorded in Bengal in the 1820s, 1860s, 1920s, and 1940s. After achieving good control of the disease during the intensive vector control efforts for malaria in the 1950s-1960s, Bangladesh experienced a VL resurgence that has lasted to the pr...

Reported are the results of a study of the knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) about kala-azar of the inhabitants of two villages (Titaria and Haraincha) situated in terai (plain) areas of Nepal. The villagers had poor knowledge about the transmission of kala-azar, with most villagers perceiving that mosquitos, instead of sandflies, were responsible for transmission of the infection. Most ...

To the Editor, "Indian Medical Gazette." Sir,?In the communication from Surgn.-Capt. P. W. O'Gorman in your issue for November regarding hda azar I see no mention of the fact of his having made use of the microscope in his search for anchylostomata. If, instead of straining the motion and examining them microscopically, he examines them microscopically according to the directions given by Sonsi...