Leishmania Flashcards
Where are amastigote forms found in humans?
Liver, spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral blood.
Where are promastigote forms found?
Gut of sandfly and in laboratory cultures.
How is Leishmaniasis transmitted?
By the bite of infected sandflies.
What happens after the promastigotes enter the host?
They convert to amastigotes, multiply, and rupture macrophages.
What causes Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala azar)?
Leishmania donovani.
What causes Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis?
Leishmania brazilensis.
What causes Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (Oriental sore)?
Leishmania tropica.
What are the possible outcomes of Leishmaniasis infection?
Sub-clinical infection, recovery (immune to reinfection), or death.
What organs are affected in Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL)?
Bone marrow, liver, and spleen.
List common symptoms of VL.
Fever, hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, cachexia, and skin pigmentation.
When does it develop?
<2 years after recovery from Kala Azar.
What are the skin manifestations?
Depigmented macules, papules, or nodules.
What characterizes Cutaneous Leishmaniasis?
Skin sores resembling a volcano with a raised edge and central crater.
What is a common outcome of these sores?
Scarring and disfigurement, especially on the face.
How does Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis occur?
When a cutaneous lesion spreads to mucous membranes like the nose or mouth.
Is this type common in the Middle East?
Rarely associated with Leishmania tropica in the Middle East.
What are the methods for diagnosing Leishmaniasis?
Microscopy, culture, immunological methods, and indirect tests.
What specimens are used for demonstration of amastigotes?
Splenic aspirate, liver biopsy, bone marrow, FNAC, and skin sections.
How can Leishmaniasis be prevented?
Suppressing the reservoir (e.g., dogs, rodents) and the vector (sandflies).
What is the treatment for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis?
Surgical excision, cautery, freezing, laser, or systemic therapy like Pentostam.
What is the drug of choice for Visceral Leishmaniasis?
Liposomal amphotericin-B (AmBisome®).
