🦟 Leishmaniasis – Overview
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female sandflies (Phlebotomus or Lutzomyia species). The disease affects the skin, mucous membranes, or internal organs, depending on the type.
🧬 Cause
- Caused by Leishmania parasites (over 20 species)
- Spread by bites from infected sandflies
- Common in parts of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and the Mediterranean
📌 Forms of Leishmaniasis
| Type | Main Symptoms | Affected Areas |
|---|---|---|
| 🟤 Cutaneous | Skin sores, ulcers | Middle East, Latin America, Central Asia |
| 🔴 Mucocutaneous | Nose, mouth, and throat destruction | South America (esp. Brazil, Bolivia, Peru) |
| ⚫ Visceral (Kala-azar) | Fever, weight loss, organ enlargement, fatal if untreated | South Asia, East Africa, Brazil |
🦟 Transmission
- Through the bite of an infected female sandfly
- Rarely via:
- Blood transfusion
- Organ transplant
- From mother to baby
- Laboratory exposure
⚠️ Symptoms by Type
1️⃣ Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
- Painless skin ulcers or nodules
- May heal on their own, but often leave scars
- Can develop months after sandfly bite
2️⃣ Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
- Begins with skin ulcers, spreads to:
- Nose, mouth, and throat
- Can cause severe disfigurement
- Difficult to treat
3️⃣ Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar)
- High fever
- Weight loss
- Enlarged spleen and liver
- Pancytopenia (low red/white blood cells & platelets)
- Darkened skin (in some cases)
- Fatal if untreated
🧪 Diagnosis
- Microscopic examination of skin lesions, bone marrow, or blood
- Culture or PCR tests
- Serologic tests (especially for visceral leishmaniasis)
- Montenegro skin test (for cutaneous and mucocutaneous)
💊 Treatment
- Depends on the type, severity, and region
- First-line treatments:
- Liposomal amphotericin B (especially for visceral leishmaniasis)
- Miltefosine (oral drug, for various forms)
- Pentavalent antimonials (e.g., sodium stibogluconate)
- Paromomycin (injectable or topical)
- Cutaneous cases may not require treatment if mild
- Mucocutaneous and visceral require urgent care
🛡️ Prevention
- Use insect repellent and wear protective clothing
- Sleep under insecticide-treated bed nets
- Control sandfly breeding (limit outdoor waste, spray insecticides)
- Early detection and treatment to prevent spread
- No human vaccine yet, but research is ongoing
🌍 Epidemiology
- Affects ~12 million people worldwide
- Over 1 million new cases per year
- Highest burden in Brazil, India, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Bangladesh
✅ Key Points
- Leishmaniasis can range from mild skin ulcers to fatal organ damage
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial
- Preventive measures focus on sandfly control and protection