Leishmaniasis

Last updated: Friday, 06, August, 2010
PresentationAppropriate Tests
Leishmania antibodies are not used for routine diagnostic purposes.

Visceral (kala-azar)

FBC; creatinine, urea, ALT; protein electrophoresis; bone marrow aspiration with special stains, microscopy and culture.
  • Splenomegaly
Fine needle aspiration biopsy of spleen with special stains, microscopy and culture if bone marrow aspiration is not diagnostic.
  • Hepatomegaly
Liver biopsy only if bone marrow and splenic aspirates are not diagnostic.

Lymphadenopathy

Lymph node biopsy seldom required.

Cutaneous lesions

Skin biopsy.

Mucosal lesions

Biopsy of lesion.