Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic disease affecting which organs?

• A. Liver, spleen, and bone marrow
• B. Brain, spinal cord, meninges
• C. Heart, kidneys, lungs
• D. Skin, subcutaneous tissues

Answer: (A)

Visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic infection that primarily targets the reticuloendothelial system. The parasite lives inside macrophages in the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, causing enlargement of these organs and disrupting blood cell production. This leads to fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia. The liver, spleen, and bone marrow are the organs most characteristically involved, reflecting the spread and replication of the parasite within the macrophage system. Involvement of the brain, spinal cord, or meninges would point to a central nervous system issue; skin and subcutaneous tissues relate to cutaneous forms. Thus, the organs listed here—liver, spleen, and bone marrow—best fit the systemic pattern of visceral leishmaniasis.