[Visceral leishmaniasis in Cameroon. Report of various cases and clinical study in the region of Kousseri, far-north of Cameroon].

The far-North province of Cameroon is highly infested with cutaneous leishmaniasis. From October 1987 to January 1988, a prospective study was done in this region (specifically in Kousseri) to diagnose cases of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Out of 120 patients examined, 46 presenting symptoms related to VL were retained. Diagnosis of VL was confirmed serologically and/or through the presence of leishmanias on bone marrow slides from 9 patients. A retrospective study was also carried out in the pediatric and internal medicine units of the university teaching hospital and the Central Hospital in Yaoundé; 3 pediatric cases of VL were found. No significant difference as regards age and sex of these patients was recorded.