Kala-azar: Identifying the Incorrect Statement

The question asks to identify the statement that is NOT correct regarding Kala-azar. Let's analyze each statement:

• Statement 1: "It is caused by Leishmania donovani"

  This statement is correct. Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis, is caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania donovani complex.

• Statement 2: "It is transmitted by the bite of male sand flies"

  This statement is incorrect. Kala-azar is transmitted through the bite of infected female phlebotomine sand flies (species like Phlebotomus argentipes in India). Male sand flies do not typically feed on blood.

• Statement 3: "It is the promastigote form of parasite, which is transmitted to the human host at the time the sand fly bites the host"

  This statement is correct. When an infected female sand fly takes a blood meal, it injects the infective stage, the promastigote form of the parasite, into the human skin.

• Statement 4: "A patient may develop post Kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis during the course of therapy or a few months later"

  This statement is correct. Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a known complication that can occur in some patients, either during treatment or later, characterized by skin lesions.

Therefore, the statement that is incorrect is the one claiming transmission by male sand flies.