Kala-azar in Uttar Pradesh--a study of 66 patients

Sixty-six laboratory confirmed cases of Kala-azar from Uttar Pradesh attending various hospitals of Delhi over a period of 10 years (1989-1999) have been analysed. The geographical distribution showed that the disease involved widespread areas varying from a height of 10,000 ft. extending up-to the plains. Male, female ratio was 2:1 and maximum patients were in the age group of 5-15 years. L.D. bodies could be demonstrated in 59 patients in bone marrow aspirate smears while in 7 in splenic aspirate smears. One patient was co-infected with HIV. Indirect immuno fluorescent test was positive in 65 patients in titres ranging from 1:100 to 1:25,600 except in one HIV co-infected patient where no antibodies could be detected. Sixty-two (93.9%) patients responded completely to sodium stibogluoconate.