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Cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) complicating kidney transplantation have increased globally
in the last decades. Leishmaniasis is endemic to Sri Lanka. It is well reported that VL could be
asymptomatic up to 20% of an endemic community. Of those, only 5% will progress to VL
depending on the patient's immunity and nutrition. The aim of this study was to screen for anti
Leishmania antibodies for VL and assess the presence of Leishman Donovan (LD) Bodies in the
buffy coat films in the patients with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) or who have undergone
kidney transplantation (KT) in the Teaching Hospital, Anuradhapura (THA).
Clinical features and blood samples of 170 individuals were collected. Clinical features were
assessed for the presence of VL signs and symptoms. Buffy coat films stained with Giemsa
stain were examined for LD bodies in blood macrophages and serum samples were screened
for the presence of anti- Leishmania antibodies using rK 39 rapid diagnostic test strip (rK 39
RDT). None of the patients had past or current history of CL or VL. All 170 (100%) patients
w ere negative for Leishmania amastigotes in buffy coat films and rK 39 RDT for anti -
Leishmania antibodies.
This study suggests that thus far, VL is not a major problem among patients with renal diseases
in a CL endemic area in Sri Lanka. However, the risk of VL transmission by blood transfusions/
organ transplantations and the possibility of CL visceralization with immune -suppression could
not be ignored. Therefore, more serological tests are recommended to arrive at further
conclusions.
