A 45-year-old man from southern Sudan presents with a 4-month history of progressive wasting, fever, and massive splenomegaly. He is diagnosed with vi...

Question

A 45-year-old man from southern Sudan presents with a 4-month history of progressive wasting, fever, and massive splenomegaly. He is diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani. He is HIV-negative. After successful treatment, what is the risk of relapse and what predicts it?

Accepted Answer

Relapse occurs in approximately 1-5% of immunocompetent patients in East Africa; higher relapse rates are seen in HIV co-infected patients

Answer

Relapse is virtually unknown in immunocompetent patients

Answer

Relapse occurs in >50% of all treated patients

Answer

Relapse only occurs if the patient is reinfected by a new sandfly bite

Answer

Relapse is only seen with antimonial treatment, never with amphotericin B

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): VL Relapse Risk

A 45-year-old man from southern Sudan presents with a 4-month history of progressive wasting, fever, and massive splenomegaly. He is diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. donovani. He is HIV-negative. After successful treatment, what is the risk of relapse and what predicts it?