Risk factors for mortality of children with zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis in Central Tunisia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) caused by Leishmania infantum is endemic with an epidemiological profile of a paediatric disease in Tunisia. In the context of a high fatality rate, identifying risk factors for in-hospital mortality in children treated for ZVL is of major epidemiological importance.

Design

A retrospective (case-control) study included 230 immuno-competent children diagnosed and confirmed with primary ZVL in the paediatric department of the University Hospital of Kairouan between 2004 and 2014. Forty-seven per cent (47%) were children under 18 months of age, and with a male ⁄ female ratio of 1.01:1.

Results

The overall case-fatality was 6% (n = 14). The risk factors for in-hospital death identified by a multivariate analysis were: bleed

SUBMITTER: Ben Helel K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5747430 | biostudies-literature | 2017

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature