SM Marri, Azim Asif Goraya, M Masoom, Akhtar H Malghani, Anwar Burero.
Leishmaniasis: Disease of Young Adults current status in Balochistan.
Mother & Child Jan ;37(2):63-7.

Leishmaniasis is prevalent in certain endemic foci in the country. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is prevalent in the entire province of Balochistan while the viceral form is prevalent in the north of the country. Some cases of viceral leishmaniasis have been recently diagnosed in Balochistan and Karachi. The Afghan refugees have further added up to the increasing number of cases every year. Two types of cutaneous lesions (wet and dry types) are observed. P. papatasi and P. sergenti are the vactor species scattered in this area. A zoonotic focus of the infection in rodent population is observed in particular in Meriones hurrianae. The people affected belong to rural areas with low socioeconomic status and are unable to afford the expensive therapy with antimonials. Trials with topical ointment are in progress. The diagnosis by visualizing the parasites in ulcer scrapings and the bone-marrow aspirates has not been satisfactory. Immunodiagnostic agents are needed for diagnostic purposes.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com