title: Blindness following visceral leishmaniasis: a neglected post-kala-azar complication.
abstract: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality that affects multiple organs. Post-kala-azar ocular involvement is a serious complication that can manifest as blepharo-conjuctivitis or pan-uveitis. Failure of prompt diagnosis and treatment can result in blindness. We report five cases with pan-uveitis that followed the successful treatment of VL and consequent post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis were presented. Two patients lost their sight permanently but the rest were successfully treated. A high index of suspicion and prompt treatment are of paramount importance in order to avoid blindness following post-kala-azar ocular uveitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pathology & Immunology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, PO Box 45235, Sudan. eltahirk@iend.org
authors.forename: E A G
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Musa
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Younis
authors.forename: M E E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Elfaki
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Zijlstra
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Elhassan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001766:Blindness / Q000209:etiology*; D002648:Child; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007891:Leishmania / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000209:etiology / Q000469:parasitology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D015864:Panuveitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D000967:Antimony Sodium Gluconate