The current first-line treatment recommended under India's kala-azar elimination programme for a newly diagnosed adult with primary visceral leishmaniasis is:
- A Sodium stibogluconate 20 mg/kg daily for 30 days
- B Single dose intravenous liposomal amphotericin B, 10 mg/kg ✓
- C Oral miltefosine for 28 days as monotherapy in adults
- D Intramuscular pentamidine weekly for six weeks
Correct answer: B. Single dose intravenous liposomal amphotericin B, 10 mg/kg
Explanation
B single infusion of liposomal amphotericin A at 10 mg/kg is the standard regimen in the Indian elimination programme, giving cure rates above 95 percent with short hospital stay. Pentavalent antimonials were abandoned after widespread unresponsiveness in Bihar and cardiac toxicity, and miltefosine is now reserved mainly as part of combination therapy for relapse or special situations.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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