What is the structure of Leishmania?
Structure. Leishmania donovani is a unicellular eukaryote having a well-defined nucleus and other cell organelles including a kinetoplast and a flagellum. This species has n=36 chromosomes.
Where is Leishmania found?
What is leishmaniasis? Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease that is found in parts of the tropics, subtropics, and southern Europe. Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of infected sand flies.
How many forms of leishmaniasis are there?
There are 3 main forms of leishmaniases – visceral (also known as kala-azar, which is and the most serious form of the disease), cutaneous (the most common), and mucocutaneous. Leishmaniasis is caused by protozoan parasites which are transmitted by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies.
What does cutaneous leishmaniasis look like on skin?
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized by one or more cutaneous lesions on areas where sandflies have fed. Persons who have cutaneous leishmaniasis have one or more sores on their skin. The sores can change in size and appearance over time. They often end up looking somewhat like a volcano,…
Are there molecular methods to diagnose leishmaniasis?
Molecular approaches have the potential to be more sensitive and rapid; e.g., the results can be available within days versus weeks. CDC has incorporated molecular methods in the algorithm for the laboratory diagnosis of leishmaniasis.
How is leishmaniasis transmitted from person to person?
Life Cycle. Leishmaniasis is transmitted by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies. The sandflies inject the infective stage (i.e., promastigotes) from their proboscis during blood meals . Promastigotes that reach the puncture wound are phagocytized by macrophages and other types of mononuclear phagocytic cells.
Where does Leishmania sp.promastigotes occur in the sand fly?
The species identification was derived from culture followed by isoenzyme analysis. Leishmania sp. promastigotes from culture. Promastigotes are not found in human tissue; this stage occurs in the mid-gut of the sand fly (genera Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia) intermediate hosts.