kala-azar

Definition kala-azar

kala-azar: kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis, Dumdum fever) n. a tropical sisease caused by the parasitic protozoan *leishmania donovani. the parasite, transmitted to man by *sandflies, invades the cells of the lymptoms includes the cells of the lymphatic systems, spleen, and bone marrow. Symptoms incled enlargement and subsequent lesions of the liver and pleen; anaemia; a low *leucocyte count; weight loss; and irregular fevers. the disease occurs i Asia, South America, the Mediterranaen area, and Africa. Drugs containing antimony are used in the treatment of this potentially fatal disease.