| leishmaniasis, visceral | A chronic disease caused by leishmania donovani and transmitted by the bite of several sandflies of the genera phlebotomus and lutzomyia. It is commonly characterised by fever, chills, vomiting, anaemia, hepatosplenomegaly, leukopenia, hypergammaglobulinaemia, emaciation, and an earth-gray colour of the skin. The disease is classified into three main types according to geographic distribution: indian, mediterranean (or infantile), and african. (12 Dec 1998) |
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