by Custodio E, López-Alcalde J, Herrero M, Bouza C, Jimenez C, Storcksdieck genannt Bonsmann S, Mouratidou T, López-Cuadrado T, Benito A, and Alvar J. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, 3, doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD012261.pub2.
Summary: Poor nutritional status hastens the progression of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) infection, and VL worsens malnutrition status, but the effects of nutritional supplementation in people treated for VL are not known. This review was conducted to assess the effects of oral nutritional supplements in people being treated with anti-leishmanial drug therapy for VL. A full review was conducted to find references to any oral nutritional supplement, compared to no nutritional intervention, placebo, or dietary advice alone, in people being treated for VL. No eligible studies were identified for this review and no conclusions could therefore be drawn on the impact of these interventions on patients being treated for VL. This ‘empty review’ highlights the need for rigorous studies to determine the effects of oral nutritional supplements in people with VL who are receiving anti-leishmanial drug therapy.
