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Parasitology Lec 6
Parasitology Lec 6
Lieshmania- flagellate
Visceral leishmaniasis
This most severe form of leishmaniasis also known as kala-azar disease, it is a life-
threatening is caused by species of the parasitic protozoa flagellate Leishmania spp. It is
which are transmitted by female sandflies. Visceral leishmaniasis causes fever, weight loss,
spleen and liver enlargement, caused by L. donovani (kala azar) (Asia, Africa and India)
progressive disease, 75-95% mortality if untreated
Epidemiology
Visceral leishmaniasis has a wide geographic distribution.
◦ North-Eastern China, India, Middle-East, Southern Europe (Mediterranean basin).
◦ Northern Africa, Central-East Africa, Central and South America
Types of Leishmania stages
1-The sandflies inject the infective stage, Promastigotes, during blood meals.
2- Promastigotes that reach the puncture wound are phagocytized by macrophages and
transform into amastigotes.
3- Amastigotes multiply in macrophages and affect different tissues. (the reason clinical
manifestations).
4- Sandflies become infected during blood meals from infected host when they ingest
macrophages infected with amastigotes.
5- The parasites differentiate into promastigotes in sandfly's midgut, which multiply and
migrate to the proboscis.
Life cycle of Lieshmania sp.
Macrophages
Treatment
• Antimonials
• Amphotericin B (less toxic, expensive)
• Miltefosine
Control
Control reservoir (dogs, rodents, ect.)
Control vector.