[Study of 71 cases of visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed at the Mustapha University Hospital (Algiers) from 1998 to 2009].

OBJECTIVE

The authors retrospectively studied the epidemiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of 71 cases of visceral leishmaniasis from 1998 to 2009.

POPULATION AND

METHODS

The diagnosis was made by finding Leishmania amastigotes in bone marrows smears and/or by serology.

RESULTS

Most cases occur in winter (35.2%) and in spring (36.6%). The source areas are endemic ones located in the north of Algeria (74.6%) and more rarely arid or semi-arid climate areas (8.4%). 88.7% of patients are children. The sex ratio is 1.53. The clinical characteristics are: fever (77.4%), paleness (43.6%); splenomegaly (83%), hepatomegaly (57.7%). The biological anomalies are: anemia (56.3%), thrombocytopenia (33.8%), and leucopenia (28.1%). N-methylglucamine (Glucantime(®)) was most often prescribed (70.4%). Four deaths (5.6%) were recorded.

CONCLUSION

Visceral leishmaniasis remains a pediatric affection but does not spare adults.