A Study to Explore Association of Treatment Regimens for Visceral Leishmaniasis, Host Immunological, Genetical and Nutrition Factors With Post-kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL)

Background:Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis is a skin disorder caused by the Leishmania donovani and usually develops after treatment for visceral leishmaniasis. The public health importance of this condition is that it plays as an inter-epidemic reservoir of visceral leishmaniasis.It is believed that the condition is associated with sodium stibogluconate (SSG) monotherapy for visceral leishmaniasis; however evidence is lacking to support this. Further no study has been carried out to explore the pathogenesis of PKDL in Bangladesh. Also no information is available related to development of PKDL after treatment of VL with miltefosine monotherapy in Bangladesh.Better knowledge on pathogenesis of PKDL will help to predict and design intervention to prevent the development of PKDL. This will help to reduce the numbers of inter-epidemic reservoir for VL and hence will contribute to the national kala-azar elimination program.

Objectives:1. To investigate the incidence of PKDL after SSG or Miltefosine mono-therapy for VL; 2. To investigate serum level of IL-10, TGF-β and markers of lipid metabolism (serum cholesterols) before and after treatment of PKDL; 3. To investigate the mRNA expression of IL-10, TGF-β in skin lesion of PKDL; 4. To investigate the association of gene polymorphism of IL-10, TGF-β and PKDL; 5. To develop a new diagnostic tool for diagnosis of PKDL by detection of LD antigen in the skin tissue by punch biopsy using immunofluorescence technique; and, 6. To investigate leishmania antigens and anti-leishmania antibodies in urine before and after treatment of PKDL and evaluate possibility to use them as diagnostic tools.

Methods:1. The incidence of PKDL after treatment for VL will be investigated through studying a retrospective cohort which will be identified by cross-sectional survey; 2. serum level of cytokines and lipid profile will be measured respectively by cytometric bed-array and autoanalyzer before and after treatment for PKDL; 3. mRNA expression of cytokines will be measured real-time PCR before and after treatment for PKDL; 4. gene polymorphism will be investigated by DNA sequencing; 5. the new diagnostic tool will be developed using immunofluorescence technique; and, 6. urine antigens and antibodies will be detected by ELISA.

Inclusion criteria

• History of Visceral Leishmaniasis
• Presence of hypopigmented rash
• Rk39 strip test positive
• Written informed consent from the participant

Exclusion criteria

• Any medical condition that may affect the safety of the patient during study procedure
• Any condition which comprises the ability to comply the study procedure
• Presence of splenomegaly
• Posotive skin smear for mycobacterium leprae
• Positive skin smear for fungus
• Pregnancy test positive