Results of a twelve-year (1987-1998) prospective study of Visceral Leishmaniasis in 103 patients admitted to the Ahari Children's Hospital Medical Center indicate that IFA (Indirect immunofluorescence antibody test) is highly specific and cheap. Finally we found that 86 patients (84%) were IFA positive and bone marrow aspiration of 34 (79%) of these patients were negative. 59 cases had positive bone marrow aspiration (57%) of which 52 cases had positive IFA (P<0.001). Visceral Leishmaniasis usually responds to fifteen days treatment with Glucantime (Megalumine antimonate). The pediatric dose is 20 mg/kg daily, administered intramuscularly. The treatment can be repeated.

Keywords: Glucantime

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