visceral leishmaniasis

noun

plural visceral leishmaniases
: a severe form of leishmaniasis that is marked by fever, weight loss, progressive anemia, leukopenia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver, is caused by a parasitic protozoan (as Leishmania donovani) which proliferates in macrophages of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and is typically fatal if untreated
The disease's deadly form, visceral leishmaniasis, caused when the parasite takes up residence in the liver, spleen and bone marrow, kills about 40,000 people a year worldwide.Rachel Nuwer

called also kala-azar

compare cutaneous leishmaniasis

Word History

First Known Use

1914, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of visceral leishmaniasis was in 1914

Dictionary Entries Near visceral leishmaniasis

Cite this Entry

“Visceral leishmaniasis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visceral%20leishmaniasis. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.

Medical Definition

visceral leishmaniasis

noun
: a severe form of leishmaniasis that is marked by fever, weight loss, progressive anemia, leukopenia, and enlargement of the spleen and liver, is caused by a parasitic protozoan of the genus Leishmania (as L. donovani) which proliferates in macrophages of the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, and is typically fatal if untreated
Visceral leishmaniasis is responsible for overwhelming fatal epidemics …Michael A. Miles, Science
In visceral leishmaniasis, in contrast to cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, the cutaneous entry of the parasite infrequently elicits a skin lesion.David J. Wyler and Anthony R. Mattia, The New England Journal of Medicine

called also kala-azar

compare cutaneous leishmaniasis
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!