leishmaniasis

Last reviewed 09/2022

Leishmania are protozoal intracellular parasites of humans and other mammals.

Infection is transmitted by the bite of an infected sandfly. Most infected individuals are have a subclinical infection.

Leishmania reproduce within the cells of the reticulo-endothelial cells, forming granulomata within various tissues.

There are two main forms of Leishmaniasis:

  • visceral leishmaniasis
  • cutaneous leishmaniasis

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