Leishmaniasis

Question 1

What is leishmaniasis caused by?

Answer 1

By an intracellular protozoa Leishmania

Question 2

How is leishmaniasis usually spread?

Answer 2

By sandflies

Question 3

What are the 3 forms of leishmaniasis that are seen?

Answer 3

• Cutaneous leishmaniasis
• Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis
• Visceral leishmaniasis

Question 4

What causes cutaneous leishmaniasis and describe it’s features.

Answer 4

• Caused by Leishmania tropica or Leishmania mexicana
• Crusted lesion at site of bite
• May be underlying ulcer

Question 5

What causes Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis and describe it’s features.

Answer 5

• Caused by Leishmania braziliensis
• Skin lesions may spread to involve mucosae of nose, pharynx etc

Question 6

What causes Visceral leishmaniasis and describe it’s features.

Answer 6

• 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