Leishmaniasis
Introduction.
Leishmaniasis is an infection by the protozoan flagellate
Leishmania. 3 species cause disease in humans: L. donovanii (visceral); L.
tropica (cutaneous), and L. braziliensis (mucocutaneous). It is transmitted by
the bite of the sandfly (vector)
from an animal reservoir (zoonosis). Intracellular growth of the
flagella-less stage causes tissue destruction.
Summary
- Cause: Leishmania spp.
- Microscopy: Flagellated protozoa; amastigote,
promastigote
- Transmission: Sandfly (vector)
- Life
cycle
- Symptoms: depending
on species (see below)
- Complications: depending on species
- Pathogenesis: Intracellular (macrophage and other tissues)
multiplication of Leishmania
- Treatment: stibogluconate
Visceral Leishmaniasis
- Cause: Leishmania donovanii
- Early symptoms include fever, diarrhea, anemia, chills, sweating
- Later: enlargement
of liver & spleen; kidney damage; skin granulomas
- Rapidly lethal if untreated
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
- Cause: Leishmania tropica
- Skin papule at bite site; ulcerates, enlarges and later crusts over
Mucocutaneous Leihmaniasis
- Cause: Leishmania braziliensis
- Skin papule similar to cutaneous disease; infection and destruction of
mucous tissue leading to facial disfigurement
