From visceral to visible: A systematic review and meta-analysis of post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis incidence, risk factors, and treatment outcomes in Eastern Africa.

Authors

Eyob Girma Abera, Surafel Worku Megersa, Kedir Negesso Tukeni, Ermias Habte Gebremichael

Published in

PLoS neglected tropical diseases. Volume 20. Issue 8. Pages e0014666. Aug 18, 2026. Epub Aug 18, 2026.

Abstract

Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a neglected complication of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) treatment with significant public health implications, particularly in Eastern Africa where it can sustain interepidemic transmission. Despite its importance, no comprehensive synthesis of PKDL burden, risk factors, and treatment outcomes specific to the region exists.
This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and JBI methodology. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, AJOL, and the Cochrane Library from database inception through May 12, 2026. Studies reporting PKDL incidence, risk factors, or treatment outcomes among VL patients in Eastern Africa were eligible. Random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool cumulative incidence estimates, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. For risk factor and treatment outcome studies, a narrative synthesis were performed. Meta-analyses were performed using the meta package in R version 4.5.2 (2025-10-31).
Eleven studies encompassing 4,699 patients from Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda were included. The pooled cumulative PKDL incidence was 18.2% (95% CI: 4.7%-49.7%), with substantial heterogeneity (I2 = 98.1%). Follow-up duration for PKDL assessment varied across studies, ranging from 6 to 24 months. Significant geographic and temporal variation was observed. Sudan reported the highest pooled incidence (56.7%) in studies conducted during the SSG-monotherapy era (1994-2000), compared to Ethiopia (4.6%, 2021) and multi-country cohorts (8.2%, 2022), with more recent supervised treatment data from Sudan and Kenya (2024) showing substantially lower incidence. A temporal decline was noted, from 56.7% pre-2010 to 6.4% post-2010, coinciding with the transition away from sodium stibogluconate monotherapy. Key risk factors included VL treatment regimen, younger age, geographic location, and HIV co-infection. The miltefosine plus paromomycin (MF + PM) combination achieved a clinical cure rate of 98.2% in a Phase II trial, outperforming liposomal amphotericin B combinations.
PKDL remains a significant post-treatment complication in Eastern Africa, with treatment regimen as the most critical modifiable risk factor. MF + PM shows promise as a preferred first-line PKDL therapy. Standardized surveillance and multicountry prospective studies are urgently needed to support regional elimination goals.
CRD420261411634.

PMID:
42611892
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 19 Aug 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.