Leishmania
Leishmania
Leishmania (pronunciation: /liːʃˈmeɪniə/) is a genus of trypanosomatid protozoa, and is the parasite responsible for the disease Leishmaniasis.
Etymology
The genus was named in honor of the Scottish pathologist William Boog Leishman, who made significant contributions to the understanding of the parasite.
Description
Leishmania parasites are transmitted by the bite of phlebotomine sandflies. The parasites infect macrophages and dendritic cells in their mammalian hosts, causing a range of symptoms depending on the species of Leishmania and the immune response of the host.
Species
There are several species of Leishmania that cause disease in humans. The most common are:
- Leishmania donovani: Causes visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar.
- Leishmania tropica and Leishmania major: Cause cutaneous leishmaniasis.
- Leishmania braziliensis: Causes mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.
Related Terms
- Leishmaniasis: The disease caused by infection with Leishmania parasites.
- Protozoa: A group of single-celled organisms, including Leishmania, that are capable of causing disease in humans.
- Macrophage: A type of white blood cell that Leishmania parasites infect in their mammalian hosts.
- Dendritic cell: Another type of white blood cell that Leishmania parasites can infect.
- Sandfly: The insect vector that transmits Leishmania parasites.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Leishmania
- Wikipedia's article - Leishmania
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