Visceral leishmaniasis

This code represents a severe systemic parasitic infection caused by Leishmania donovani or L. infantum, affecting internal organs such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. It is characterized by prolonged fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopenia, and weight loss, often leading to death if untreated.

Assign this code for confirmed cases of visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar. Documentation should clearly indicate the diagnosis based on clinical presentation, serology, or identification of amastigotes in tissue samples (e.g., bone marrow aspirate, splenic biopsy).

• Do not confuse with cutaneous or mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, which have distinct codes.
• Code any associated complications, such as anemia or secondary infections, separately.
• Ensure the documentation specifies the visceral form of the disease to support this code.