Published: 2014-07-27 years Updated: 2021-08-30
Author: Thomas C. Weiss | Contact: Disabled-World.com
Peer-reviewed publications: N / A
Move in: Main announcement | Publications
Summary: Information regarding Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease found in tropical, subtropical and southern Europe. Mucosal leishmaniasis is a less common form of leishmaniasis. Mucosal leishmaniasis may be the result of infection with certain species of the parasite that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in parts of Latin America. There is no medicine or vaccine to prevent leishmaniasis infection. The best way for people to prevent infection is to protect themselves from sandfly bites.
advertisement
Main announcement
Leishmaniasis – (Alternative – leishmaniosis) – A disease caused by a single-celled parasite of the genus Leishmania and spread through the bite of certain types of sand moths. The disease is classified as one, ‘The Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD). The disease can manifest in three main ways: cutaneous leishmaniasis, cutaneous leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis. The cutaneous form presents with skin ulcers, while the mucocutaneous form has sores on the skin, mouth, and nose, and the visceral form begins with skin ulcers and then presents with fever, low red blood cells, spleen, and hepatomegaly.
Leishmaniasis is found in more than 90 countries. Ecological settings range from desert to rainforest. Leishmaniasis is more common in rural rather than urban areas, however it is found on the outskirts of some cities. Additional climate and environmental changes are likely to expand the geographic range of sandfly vectors and the areas of the world where outbreaks have been detected. Leishmaniasis is found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia.
In the Eastern Hemisphere, leishmaniasis is found in parts of the Middle East, Asia, and Africa – especially in the recovering tropics and North Africa, and southern Europe. In the Western Hemisphere, it is found in Central and South America and Mexico. The disease has not been found in Uruguay or Chile. People in the US states of Oklahoma and Texas have experienced occasional cases of skin leishmaniasis.
The exact number of new cases per year is not known. For cutaneous leishmaniasis, it is estimated that between 700,000 and 1,200,000 people are affected. For visceral leishmaniasis, the estimated number of cases ranges from 200,000 to 400,000. The leishmaniasis cases evaluated in the US reflect immigration and travel patterns. For example; Several cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in American civilian travelers have been acquired in popular tourist destinations such as Costa Rica or other Latin American destinations.
Overall, human infections are caused by more than 20 species of leishmania parasites caused by about 30 species of phlebotomine sand flies. Specific species of parasites are spread by certain species of sand flies. Sand fly vectors are usually most active at dusk, evening, and night.
In some of the geographic areas where leishmaniasis is found in humans, infection is not necessary to maintain the transmission cycle of the parasite. Infected animals such as dogs or rodents, along with sand flies, perpetuate the cycle of transmission. However, in some parts of the world today, infected people need to be kept on cycle. The type of transmission involved, from person to person, is known as ‘anthropological’. In areas with patient transmission, treating people can help control the spread of the parasite.
Signs and symptoms of Leishmaniasis
Many different forms of leishmaniasis exist that affect humans. Some people have a ‘silent infection’, which means they don’t experience any signs or symptoms. The most common form is cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes sores on the skin. Sores usually develop within weeks or months of a person being bitten by a sand fly. The sores can change in shape or size over a period of time. The sores can start as ‘papules,’ or nodules and end up as sores. Skin sores may be covered with a scab or crust. The sores are usually painless, but they can also be painful. Some people have swollen glands near the sores, such as under the arms.
The other major form of the disease is visceral leishmaniasis, which affects several of a person’s internal organs such as their liver, spleen, and bone marrow. Visceral leishmaniasis can be life-threatening. The disease usually develops within months or even years of being bitten by a sand fly. Affected people often experience:
- Fever
- Weight loss
- Low platelet count
- Low red blood cell count
- Low white blood cell count
- Enlarged spleen and liver
Mucosal leishmaniasis is a less common form of leishmaniasis. Mucosal leishmaniasis may be the result of infection with certain species of the parasite that causes cutaneous leishmaniasis in parts of Latin America. Certain types of parasites can spread from a person’s skin and cause sores in the mucous membranes of their nose, throat, or mouth.
Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis
Various laboratory methods can be used to diagnose leishmaniasis, both for parasite detection and species identification. Some methods are only available through reference laboratories. Tissue samples, such as those taken from a person’s skin sores for cutaneous leishmaniasis, or from a person’s bone marrow for visceral leishmaniasis, can be examined for parasites under a microscope. , in culture or otherwise. Blood tests that detect antibodies to the parasite may be helpful in cases of visceral leishmaniasis. Tests to look for parasites are also often done.
Treatment of Leishmaniasis
The first step, even before considering treatment, is to make sure the diagnosis is correct. A person’s treatment decisions should be individualized. Health care providers can consult with others about the merits of different treatments. Some factors to consider include the form of leishmaniasis, the species causing it, the potential severity, and the person’s overall health.
Skin sores associated with leishmaniasis on the skin usually heal on their own, even if the person is left untreated. Waiting for an ulcer to heal on its own can take months or even years, and the sore can leave a scar. Another concern applies to some, but not all, of the parasites found in parts of Latin America. Some types can spread from a person’s skin and cause sores on the mucous membranes in their nose, throat, or mouth. Mucosal leishmaniasis may not be noticed until many years after the initial ulcer has healed. The best way to prevent mucosal leishmaniasis is to treat the skin infection appropriately. The case is related to visceral leishmaniasis, which, if left untreated – severe cases are often fatal.
Leishmaniasis prevention and control
There is no medicine or vaccine to prevent leishmaniasis infection. The best way for people to prevent infection is to protect themselves from sandfly bites. To reduce the risk of being bitten, people can take several precautions including:
Avoid outdoor activities, especially from dusk to dawn when sand flies are usually most active. When you are outside, minimize the amount of skin you come in contact with. Wear long-sleeved shirt, socks and long pants. Tuck your shirt into your pants. Apply insect repellent to exposed skin and under the ends of sleeves and pants. The most effective repellents usually contain the chemical, ‘DEET.’ Repellents, bed nets, and insect repellents are a must-buy before you travel and can be found at camping, home and military stores. Bed nets and clothing that have been treated with insecticides containing pyrethroids are also available.
When you are indoors, stay in air-conditioned or well-covered areas. Remember that sand flies are much smaller than mosquitoes and can get through smaller holes. Spray insecticide on your living and sleeping areas to kill insects. If you don’t sleep in a well-covered or air-conditioned area, use a curtain and line it under your mattress. If possible, use mosquito nets that have been sprayed or impregnated with pyrethroid insecticides. The same treatment can be applied to drapes, drapes, clothing and bed linen.
Author credentials:
Thomas C. Weiss is a researcher and editor for Disabled World. Thomas attended college and university courses for a Master’s, Bachelor’s and two Associate’s degrees, as well as studying Disability Studies. As a Nursing Assistant, Thomas has supported people of many racial, religious, gender, class and age groups by providing care to people with all forms of disabilities. disability from Multiple Sclerosis to Parkinson’s; paralysis and quadriplegia for spina bifida.
Disability World is an independent disability community founded in 2004 to provide disability news and information to people with disabilities, seniors, their families and/or carers. . Check out our homepage for helpful news, reviews, sports, stories and guides. You can also connect with us on Twitter and Facebook or learn more about Disability World on our about us page.
advertisement
Disability World provides general information only. The documents presented are never meant to be a substitute for the professional medical care of a qualified physician, and they should not be construed as such. Financial assistance is obtained from advertisements or referral programs, if specified. Any 3rd party offers or advertisements do not constitute an endorsement.
• Citation of this Page (APA): Thomas C. Weiss. (2014, July 27). Leishmaniasis: Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment. The world of people with disabilities. Accessed October 27, 2022 from www.disabled-world.com/health/lpd.php
• Permalinks: Leishmaniasis: Symptoms, Prevention, Treatment
