ORGANISM 1--Leishmania species
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
COMMON NAME
Leishmania donovani--Kala-azar: visceral leishmaniasis
Leishmania donovani infantum: infantile visceral leishmaniasis Leishmania donovani
archibaldi--visceral leishmaniasis
Leishmania donovani chagasi: American visceral leishmaniasis
Leishmania tropica major: cutaneous leishmaniasis, Oriental sore
Leishmania tropica tropica: oriental sore, cutaneous leishmaniasis, urban Leishmania
aethiopica--cutaneous leishmaniasis
Leishmania mexicana mexicana: chiclero ulcer, cutaneous leishmaniasis Leishmania
peruviana--uta, cutaneous leishmaniasis
Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis: espundia, American leishmaniasis,
mucocutaneous leishmaniasis
PATHOGENESIS
Viscera I leishmaniasis: destroys reticulo-endothelial cells (R-E cells); decreases
production of RBC'S; hepatosplenomegaly; frequently fatal;
immunity: gamma globulins, only after recovery from the first infection.
Cutaneous leishmaniasis: shallow, dry scaly sore; "wet-sore": "punched out"
appearance; facial disfiguring; seldom fatal; immunity; vaccination
is available;parents intentionally infect their children in an unexposed
area thereby allowing acquired immunity and preventing facial disfiguremen
Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: sores with moist centers, masses of necrotic tissue;
marked deformities; frequently fatal.
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
L. donovani donovani: India, Burma
L. donovani infantum: Mediterranean shoreline
L. donovani archibaldi: Africa: Kenya, Gold & Ivory Coasts L. donovani chagasi--Latin
America
L. tropica major: Africa, Asia, Europe
L. tropica tropica:Africa, Asia, Europe L. aethiopica--Ethiopia, Kenya
L. mexicana mexicana:Mexico to Panama T. peruviana--Peruvian Andes (3000 m.)
L. braziliensis braziliensis: Central & Northern South America
HABITAT: Phagocytic R-E cells and macrophages.
INTERMEDIATE HOST: Sandfly, Phlebotomus species.
RESERVOIR HOST: Cats, dogs, horses, sheep, and others.
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