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Manuscript on VL in Afghanistan 01062025.docx
Cover Letter VL Manuscript.pdf
Author Committment Sighend for VL.pdf
Kala azar afghanistan.docx
AJID-O01 Saeed- for edit 2 july 2025.docx
7- AJID-O01-2 Saeed- RTG 2 july 2025.pdf
7- AJID-O01-2 Saeed- RTG 2 july 2025.pdf
7- AJID-O01-2 Saeed- RTG 2 july 2025.pdf
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10.60141/ajid.111
Visceral Leishmaniasis in Afghanistan: Analysis of Cases from 2018 to 2022
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected but typically fatal vector-borne protozoan disease. It leads to substantial health problems and/or death for up to 400,000 people per year. Afghanistan is an endemic country for VL. We aimed to analyze VL cases from 2018 to 2022 and enlighten the epidemiological profile of the disease in the country.</p>
<p><strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive analysis of VL cases from 2018 to 2022 was conducted during July to September 2022. Secondary data of the VL surveillance were retrieved from Malaria and other Vector Borne Disease Control Program (MVDP) of Ministry of Public Health, Kabul, Afghanistan. while the outcome of registered cases were confirmed through phone calls. Data were managed and analyzed using MS Excel, Epi Info V.7.2.1, and GIS.</p>
<p><strong>Results:</strong> Overall, 77 cases were registered and reported from 2018 to 2022. Most of the cases 48 (62%) were male, and 68 (88.3%) were aged 0-5 yr with a mean of 3.6 ± 2.1. Geographically, 28 cases (36%) were reported from Faryab Province followed by Baghlan 9 (12%) and Ghazni 1 (1.2%) provinces. Only Four (5%) and 7 (9%) cases reported family members with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and VL respectively. Common clinical manifestations among patients were fever (96%), weight loss (96%), and splenomegaly (91%). Upon follow up, 35 (45.5%) of the cases were lost, 31 (40.2%) were cured, and 11 (14.3%) deceased. The outcome of treatment was significantly associated with treatment type, Glucantime.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> We found higher proportion of VL among under-five males. Most of the cases were reported from the northern region and the family history of VL was reported by patients. Fever and weight loss were the frequent clinical manifestations. Early diagnosis and Glucantime had good outcome compared to late diagnosis and SSG. Awareness activities, access to diagnosis, health education and interventions are recommended in high-risk provinces. In addition, further studies are encouraged to determine the prevalence of the disease among the general population.</p>
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
Khwaja Mir Islam Saeed, Mohammad Shoaib Tamim, Mir Salamuddin Hakim, Shoaib Naeemi, Abdur Rahman Shirindil, Lutfullah Noori , Sayed Hussain Mosawi
2025
Visceral leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis
Treatment outcome
Afghanistan
Khwaja Mir Islam
Saeed
AFETP Technical Advisor, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Afghanistan National Public Health Institute (ANPHI), MoPH, Kabul, Afghanistan
AF
kmislamsaeed@gmail.com
Mohammad Shoaib
Tamim
Head of Epidemiology and Surveillance of Malaria and Other Vector Borne Diseases (MVDP) & Afghanistan
AF
shoaibtamim2008@gmail.com
Mir Salamuddin
Hakim
AFETP Technical Coordinator, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Afghanistan National Public Health Institute (ANPHI), MoPH, Kabul, Afghanistan
AF
shakim@emphnet.net
Shoaib
Naeemi
Country Technical officer, Eastern Mediterranean Public Health Network (EMPHNET), Afghanistan Country Office, Kabul, Afghanistan
AF
snaeemi@emphnet.net
Abdur Rahman
Shirindil
Malaria and Other Vector Borne Diseases Program Manager, Surveillance Officer at Malaria and Other Vector Borne Diseases Program, Kabul, Afghanistan
AF
abdul.rehman.sherendil@gmail.com
Lutfullah
Noori
Malaria and Other Vector Borne Diseases Program Manager, Surveillance Officer at Malaria and Other Vector Borne Diseases Program, Kabul, Afghanistan
AF
2011noori@gmail.com
Sayed Hussain
Mosawi
Medical Sciences Research Center, Ghalib University, Kabul, Afghanistan
AF
hossein.nostalgia@yahoo.com
131
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2025
Third Volume, second Issue, July 2025
156-165