In this study, all types of blood products were accounted for between baseline and the end of hospitalisation for VL treatment. Specific transfusion rules: platelets: <20 000 + active bleeding or <50 000 before performing invasive procedures; red cells: severe anaemia or Hb<8 g/dL + clinical instability; plasma: INR>1.5 + active bleeding (personal communication: Dr Glaucia Cota). The gene discussed is GSTM1; the disease is anemia.