[Kala-azar; clinical and physiopathological study a propos of a new case studied in Switzerland]

Kala-azar, a parasitic disease caused by Leishmania donovani, is usually found in tropical areas but may occasionally occur in other regions such as the Mediterranean. A case of kala-azar in a women who had been on a holiday in Greece is reported. The parasite was demonstrated in lymph node biopsies and bone marrow smears and treatment with stibogluconate was begun. High levels of circulating immune complexes were demonstrable before and during the demonstration of parasites; the immune complexes were partially characterized. The diminution of complexes in serum paralleled the regression of clinical symptoms, suggesting a relationship between the clinical course and levels of circulating immune complexes. The disease may be a serum sickness-like syndrome induced by the parasite.