A 40-year-old man from Bihar has been treated for VL with single-dose liposomal amphotericin B and has achieved clinical cure. Six months later, he is...

Question

A 40-year-old man from Bihar has been treated for VL with single-dose liposomal amphotericin B and has achieved clinical cure. Six months later, he is bitten by sandflies again. Does his previous VL infection confer lasting immunity?

Accepted Answer

Generally yes in immunocompetent individuals; most VL survivors develop strong cell-mediated immunity that prevents reinfection, but HIV co-infected patients have high relapse rates

Answer

Yes; VL survivors have lifelong sterilising immunity

Answer

No; there is no immune memory after VL

Answer

Only if they also receive a VL vaccine

Answer

Immunity only lasts 1 month

uk-dtmh MCQ (SBA): VL Post-treatment Immunity

A 40-year-old man from Bihar has been treated for VL with single-dose liposomal amphotericin B and has achieved clinical cure. Six months later, he is bitten by sandflies again. Does his previous VL infection confer lasting immunity?