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 leishmaniasisLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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