Hepatosplenomegaly
Type: Symptom
Definition
The simultaneous abnormal enlargement of both the liver and the spleen.
Clinical Details
In visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar), parasites heavily infiltrate and multiply within the macrophages of the liver and spleen. This causes massive reticuloendothelial hyperplasia as the organs attempt to mount a cellular immune response. The resulting physical distension of the abdomen is a hallmark clinical sign.