Ayele E, Henten Sv, Getahun Ayalew D, Atnafu S, Engidaw Mereed A, Yohannes H, Mekonnen T, Bogale T, Mossa A, Lema Legese G, Yasin J, Berens-Riha N, Pham T-T, Boodman C, Mondelaers A, Adriaensen WJ, Abdellati S, Diro E, Mohammed R, Alves F, Silamsaw Asres M, Pareyn M, Kassa M, van Griensven J. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2026;20(6): e0013878. doi:10.1371/journal.pntd.0013878
Summary: Many patients with visceral leishmaniasis seen in everyday clinical practice differ from the patients selected to participate in clinical trials. The authors of this study followed people treated for visceral leishmaniasis at a referral centre to better understand how they present and respond to treatment, and what challenges they face. Most would not have been eligible for typical clinical trials, due to more severe illness, more infections, and needs for more intensive supportive care. While most were cured, people with more severe illness had a higher risk of death, often due to serious infections or bleeding. Current research does not fully capture the needs of the most vulnerable groups. Supportive care must be improved and future studies made more inclusive.
