subject: Forms of Leishmaniasis and their effects to Man [print this page] Forms of Leishmaniasis and their effects to Man
There are two main forms of leishmaniasis: Cutaneous leishmaniasis and leishmaniasis of the internal organs (visceral Kala-azar). The causative agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis- Leishmania Tropica was discovered in 1898 by P.Borovsky in Turkestan. W.Leishman and C.Donovan described the causative agent of Kala-azar, the black fever (Leishmania donovani) in India in 1903.Morphology
In infected tissues (cells) Leishmania parasites (Leishmania tropica) occur as spherical or oval organisms. The tissue forms are non- mobile. The body surface is covered with a thin membrane. The organisms are 2-6 micrometer in length. The cytoplasm contains one or several vacuoles, a spherical nucleus and blepharoplast, which is a tiny rod-like body bearing the remains of an extending flagellum.Pathogenesis and diseases in man
The two main clinical syndromes are visceral leishmaniasis or Kala-azar (VL) and cutaneous. If the causative agent of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is Leishmania tropica minor, the incubation period is of long duration (up to 5 months and longer). A copper-colored spot appears on the skin of the face, neck, hands, and legs. The spot gradually develops into a tubercle which grows, and necrotized tissue forms in its center. The source and reservoir of the anthroponose leishmaniasis are sick humans and domestic dogs. Infection is conveyed by the sandfly vector genus phlebotomus. If the causative agent of Cutaneous Lesishmaniasis is Leishmania tropica major, the condition is characterized by a relatively short incubation period (from 1-2 weeks to 1.5-2months). The leishmaniasis are wild rodents which live in burrows (gerbils, susliks). Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) most often is manifest by one or more nodulo-ulcerative lesions at the site of parasite inoculation. Lesions may be singular and sharply localized.The Laboratory diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is the detection of the leishmania parasites in granulation tissue. In prophylaxis, early diagnosis, extermination of sandflies, dogs and rodents infected with leishmaniasis and vaccination is very important.Vicera Leishmaniasis has been documented in India, Pakistan, southern Russia, China, Africa, the countries bordering the Mediterranean, south and central America. Systemic infection results from parasite invasion of cells of the reticuloendothelian system with L.donovani. The incubation period of Kala-azar (caused by Leishmania donovani) varies from several weeks to 2-3 months. It is followed by fever and long-term remissions. The temperature is moderately elevated, the spleen and liver become enlarged and progressive anemia develops. The skin turns a dark color. Kala-azar is characterized by a chronic course and lasts for many years. Death rate ranges from 20 to 30%. The reservoir of infection are man and domestic animals (dogs, cats).Laboratory diagnosis of Viscera Leishmaniasis consists of examination of sternal bone marrow obtained by sternal puncture. prophylaxis comprises of the following measures: early diagnosis, opportune treatment, rodent control and extermination of sandflies and of dogs infected with leishmaniasis.I am Funom Theophilus Makama. I advertise through writing. As a platinum expert Author, I write lots of articles and hence promote interested websites, companies, groups, organizations, and communities through publishing and distributing my articles. For more information on this interesting venture, click on the link belowhttp://funom-makama.blogspot.com/2010/07/advertising-contracts.html
