leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a group of protozoan parasites called Leishmania there are over 20 different species that can infect humans across the world there are about 1.3 million.
new cases of leishmaniasis every year cause about 20 to 30,000 deaths it affects some of the poorest countries.
In In the world Leishmania parasite is transmitted to humans through a bite of an infected female sandfly there are over 90 species of sand flies known to transmit Leishmania parasites sand flies can get infected. when they bite a person or animal infected with leishmaniasis ease that can carry the parasite including rodents dogs and foxes very uncommonly leishmaniasis can be passed from person to person through blood transfusions infected needles and syringes or congenitally from mother to baby, not everyone who gets infected by leishmaniasis develops the disease.
people can be infected with Leishman Iowa thout showing any clinical signs or symptoms there are three different clinical types of leishmaniasis judt aeneas visceral and mucosal cutaneous leishmaniasis is the most common type and is characterized by sores on the skin these sores usually develop withina week or up to a few months after the bite of the sand fly people can develop one or multiple sores on the skin that can look like a bump nodule or an ulcer people may also have swollen glands near the sores the Soraa can lead to scarring or secondary infections visceral leishmaniasis also known as kala azar is the more severe form of the disease it can develop from ten days and even up to years after the bite of an infected sand fly it affects the internal organs usually the spleen liver and bone marrow people typically present with episodes of fever weight loss anemia and enlargement of the spleen and the liver mucosal bleach manassas is a less common form it can lead to partial or complete destruction of mucous membranes in the nose throat or mouth it can sometimes occur as a consequence of cutaneous leishmaniasis the disease can be diagnosed by performing blood tests that look for antibodies against the parasite or by urine testing PCR tests can identify the parasite based on its genetic fingerprint the best test is identifying the parasite through a microscope there are many different types of medication available to treat the diseases which one to use will depend on the person type of disease and severity so how is leishmaniasis prevented well there are several different ways the best way to prevent leishmaniasis is to avoid being bitten
by sandflies this can be done by using insect repellents insecticide-treated bed nets wearing appropriate clothing that covers the skin and avoiding outdoor activities during times when sandflies are more active which is usually between dusk and dawn screens are useful but because the sandfly is smaller than a mosquito they may be able to get through small holes early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and reduce the burden of disease in the community various vector control programs have been implemented in several countries to eliminate the reservoir of the disease there is currently no vaccine to prevent against this disease.
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