|
Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a wide array of clinical manifestations caused by protozoal parasites of the Trypanosomatida genus ''Leishmania''. It is generally spread through the bite of Phlebotominae, phlebotomine Sandfly, sandflies, ''Phlebotomus'' and ''Lutzomyia'', and occurs most frequently in the tropics and sub-tropics of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and southern Europe. The disease can present in three main ways: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, cutaneous, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous, or visceral leishmaniasis, visceral. The cutaneous form presents with skin ulcers, while the mucocutaneous form presents with ulcers of the skin, mouth, and nose. The visceral form starts with skin ulcers and later presents with fever, low red blood cell count, and enlarged spleen and liver. Infections in humans are caused by more than 20 species of ''Leishmania''. Risk factors include poverty, malnutrition, deforestation, and urbanization. All three types can be diagnosed by seeing the paras ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a wide array of clinical manifestations caused by protozoal parasites of the Trypanosomatida genus ''Leishmania''. It is generally spread through the bite of phlebotomine sandflies, '' Phlebotomus'' and '' Lutzomyia'', and occurs most frequently in the tropics and sub-tropics of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and southern Europe. The disease can present in three main ways: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral. The cutaneous form presents with skin ulcers, while the mucocutaneous form presents with ulcers of the skin, mouth, and nose. The visceral form starts with skin ulcers and later presents with fever, low red blood cell count, and enlarged spleen and liver. Infections in humans are caused by more than 20 species of ''Leishmania''. Risk factors include poverty, malnutrition, deforestation, and urbanization. All three types can be diagnosed by seeing the parasites under microscopy. Additionally, visceral disease can be diagnosed by blood tests. Leishman ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Visceral Leishmaniasis
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar (Hindi: kālā āzār, "black sickness") or "black fever", is the most severe form of leishmaniasis and, without proper diagnosis and treatment, is associated with high fatality. Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus ''Leishmania''. The parasite migrates to the internal organs such as the liver, spleen (hence "visceral"), and bone marrow, and, if left untreated, will almost always result in the death of the host. Signs and symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and substantial swelling of the liver and spleen. Of particular concern, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), is the emerging problem of HIV/VL co-infection. VL is the second-largest parasitic killer in the world (after malaria), responsible for an estimated 20,000 to 30,000 deaths each year worldwide. Upendranath Brahmachari synthesised urea stibamine (carbostibamide) in 1922 and determined that it was an ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common form of leishmaniasis affecting humans. It is a skin infection caused by a Trypanosomatid, single-celled parasite that is Vector (epidemiology), transmitted by the bite of a Phlebotominae, phlebotomine sand fly. About 30 species of ''Leishmania'' may cause skin, cutaneous leishmaniasis. This disease is considered to be a zoonosis (an infectious disease that is naturally transmissible from animals to humans), with the exception of ''Leishmania tropica'', which is often an anthroponotic disease (an infectious disease that is naturally transmissible from humans to vertebrate animals). Signs and symptoms Post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a recurrence of Visceral leishmaniasis, ''kala-azar'' that may appear on the skin of affected individuals months and up to 20 years after being partially treated, untreated, or even in those considered adequately treated. In Sudan, they can be demonstrated in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Canine Leishmaniasis
Canine leishmaniasis (LEESH-ma-NIGH-ah-sis) is a zoonotic disease (see human leishmaniasis) caused by ''Leishmania'' parasites transmitted by the bite of an infected phlebotomine sandfly. There have been no documented cases of leishmaniasis transmission from dogs to humans. Canine leishmaniasis was first identified in Europe in 1903, and in 1940, 40% of all dogs in Rome were determined to be positive for leishmaniasis. Traditionally thought of as a disease only found near the Mediterranean basin, 2008 research claims new findings are evidence that canine leishmaniasis is currently expanding in continental climate areas of northwestern Italy, far from the recognized disease-endemic areas along the Mediterranean coasts. Cases of leishmaniasis began appearing in North America in 2000, and, as of 2008, ''Leishmania''-positive foxhounds have been reported in 22 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.Rosypal, Alexa. (2005Characterization of Canine Leishmaniasis in the United States: Pat ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Neglected Tropical Disease
Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) are a diverse group of tropical infections that are common in low-income populations in developing regions of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They are caused by a variety of pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and parasitic worms (helminths). These diseases are contrasted with the "big three" infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria), which generally receive greater treatment and research funding. In sub-Saharan Africa, disease burden, the effect of neglected tropical diseases as a group is comparable to that of malaria and tuberculosis. NTD co-infection can also make HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis more deadly. Some treatments for NTDs are relatively inexpensive. For example, praziquantel for schistosomiasis costs about US $0.20 per child per year. Nevertheless, in 2010 it was estimated that control of neglected diseases would require funding of between US$2 billion and $3 billion over the subsequent five to sev ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Leishmania
''Leishmania'' () is a genus of parasitic protozoans, single-celled eukaryotic organisms of the trypanosomatid group that are responsible for the disease leishmaniasis. The parasites are transmitted by sandflies of the genus '' Phlebotomus'' in the Old World, and of the genus '' Lutzomyia'' in the New World. There are 53 species and about 20 of them are responsible for human infections. They are transmitted by around 100 species of sandflies. The primary hosts are vertebrates. They commonly infect hyraxes, canids, rodents, and humans. History Members of an ancient genus of ''Leishmania''-like parasites, '' Paleoleishmania'', have been detected in fossilized sand flies dating back to the early Cretaceous period. The first written reference to the conspicuous symptoms of cutaneous leishmaniasis surfaced in the Paleotropics within oriental texts dating back to the 7th century BC (allegedly transcribed from sources several hundred years older, between 1500 and 2000 BC). D ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lutzomyia
''Lutzomyia'' is a genus of Phlebotominae, phlebotomine Sandfly, sand flies consisting of nearly 400 species, at least 33 of which have medical importance as Vector (epidemiology), vectors of human disease. Species of the genus ''Lutzomyia'' are found only in the New World, distributed in southern areas of the Nearctic realm, Nearctic and throughout the Neotropical realm. ''Lutzomyia'' is one of the two genera of the subfamily Phlebotominae to transmit the Leishmania parasite, with the other being ''Phlebotomus'', found only in the Old World. ''Lutzomyia'' sand flies also serve as vectors for the bacterial Oroya fever, Carrion's disease and a number of arboviruses. Evolution The genus, named after Adolfo Lutz, is known from the extinct Burdigalian (20–15 Mya (unit), mya) species ''Lutzomyia adiketis'' found as a fossil in Dominican amber on the island of Hispaniola. It is thought that species in the genus ''Lutzomyia'' all originated in the lowland forests to the east of t ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sandflies
Sandfly or sand fly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking dipteran (fly) encountered in sandy areas. In the United States, ''sandfly'' may refer to certain horse flies that are also known as "greenheads" (family ''Tabanidae''), or to members of the family ''Ceratopogonidae''. The bites usually result in a small, intensely itchy bump or welt, the strength of which intensifies over a period of 5-7 days before dissipating. Sandfly bites can be distinguished from mosquito bites as sandfly bite are usually found in clusters as they attack animals in groups. Moderate relief is achieved with varying success through the application of over-the-counter products such as Benadryl (ingested) or an analgesic cream such as After Bite (applied topically). Outside the United States, ''sandfly'' may refer to members of the subfamily Phlebotominae within the Psychodidae. Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) are sometimes called sandflies or no-see-ums (no-se ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Phlebotominae
The Phlebotominae are a subfamily of the family Psychodidae. In several countries, their common name is sandfly, but that name is also applied to other flies. The Phlebotominae include many genera of blood-feeding ( hematophagous) flies, including the primary vectors of leishmaniasis, bartonellosis, and pappataci fever. Sandflies are small; a body size of about 3 mm in length is typical for many species, which aids them in escaping notice. Their bite is not always felt, but leaves a small, round, reddish bump that starts itching hours or days later. Use of insect repellent is recommended in areas where sandflies are present. Diet and reproduction Phlebotomine sandflies have a diet that includes both blood and plant-derived sugar meals. Phlebotomine females, and only females, suck blood from various mammals, reptiles, and birds, while both sexes consume sugary substances including nectar, honeydew, and phloem sap from plants. Some species are selective about their hosts, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sandfly
Sandfly or sand fly is a colloquial name for any species or genus of flying, biting, blood-sucking dipteran (fly) encountered in sandy areas. In the United States, ''sandfly'' may refer to certain horse flies that are also known as "greenheads" (family '' Tabanidae''), or to members of the family ''Ceratopogonidae''. The bites usually result in a small, intensely itchy bump or welt, the strength of which intensifies over a period of 5-7 days before dissipating. Sandfly bites can be distinguished from mosquito bites as sandfly bite are usually found in clusters as they attack animals in groups. Moderate relief is achieved with varying success through the application of over-the-counter products such as Benadryl (ingested) or an analgesic cream such as After Bite (applied topically). Outside the United States, ''sandfly'' may refer to members of the subfamily Phlebotominae within the Psychodidae. Biting midges (Ceratopogonidae) are sometimes called sandflies or no-see-ums ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Phlebotomus
''Phlebotomus'' is a genus of " sand flies" in the Diptera family Psychodidae. In the past, they have sometimes been considered to belong in a separate family, Phlebotomidae, but this alternative classification has not gained wide acceptance. Epidemiology In the Old World, ''Phlebotomus'' sand flies are primarily responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis, an important parasitic disease, while transmission in the New World, is generally via sand flies of the genus '' Lutzomyia''. The protozoan parasite itself is a species of the genus ''Leishmania''. Leishmaniasis normally finds a mammalian reservoir in rodents and other small animals such as canids ( canine leishmaniasis) and hyraxes. The female sand fly carries the ''Leishmania'' protozoa from infected animals after feeding, thus transmitting the disease, while the male feeds on plant nectar. The parasite ''Leishmania donovani'' is the main causative agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in India, Nepal, and Banglad ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
