Leishmaniasis Flashcards
1
Q
What is leishmaniasis caused by?
A
By an intracellular protozoa Leishmania
2
Q
How is leishmaniasis usually spread?
A
By sandflies
3
Q
What are the 3 forms of leishmaniasis that are seen?
A
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis
- Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis
- Visceral leishmaniasis
4
Q
What causes cutaneous leishmaniasis and describe it’s features.
A
- Caused by Leishmania tropica or Leishmania mexicana
- Crusted lesion at site of bite
- May be underlying ulcer
5
Q
What causes Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and describe it’s features.
A
- Caused by Leishmania braziliensis
- Skin lesions may spread to involve mucosae of nose, pharynx etc
6
Q
What causes Visceral leishmaniasis and describe it’s features.
A
- Mostly caused by Leishmania donovani
- Occurs in the Mediterranean, Asia, South America, Africa
- Fever, sweats, rigors
- Massive splenomegaly. hepatomegaly
- Poor or increased appetite but will always have weight loss
- Grey skin - ‘kala-azar’ means black sickness
- Pancytopaenia secondary to hypersplenism
