Liver in kala-azar

Sixty patients with kala-azar were studied for liver involvement. Clinically none had any evidence of chronic liver disease. Biochemical evidence of hepatitis was seen in about 25% of cases while radiological and radionuclide studies failed to reveal portal hypertension and/or cirrhosis of liver in any of the patients. Histopathology of the liver in 18 patients failed to reveal any evidence of chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. It is suggested that portal hypertension and cirrhosis of liver probably do not occur as a consequence of kala-azar.