Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted through the bite of infected sand flies. There are three main forms of the disease: cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores; visceral leishmaniasis, also known as kala-azar, which can affect internal organs; and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, which affects the skin and mucous membranes. The disease is diagnosed through microscopic examination of samples from lesions or organs to identify the parasites, serological tests to detect antibodies, or PCR assays. Common symptoms vary depending on the form of the disease but may include fever, weight loss, enlarged liver

1. (Leishmania parasites)
Under Supervision
Dr. Raad Ajam
Students
Esraa jamel
Nawras mossa
Zahraa Thabt
Rusl Nouri

2. What is Leishmaniasis?
• Leishmaniasis is a disease caused
by protozoan parasites that belong to
the genus Leishmania.
• Disease is transmitted by the bite of
certain species of sand fly.

3. Systematic position of Leishmania
spp.
• Phylum: Euglenozoa
• Class: Kinetoplastidea
• Genus: Leishmania (L.)
From genus Leishmania about 21 species
infect human. 3species are the most
important:
1- L. donovani (Visceral Leishmaniasis
“Kala azar”).
2- L. Tropica (Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
“oriental sore”).
3- L. braziliensis (Muco-cutaneous
Leishmaniasis “Espundia”)

4. Vector of Leishmaniasis
• Leishmania is transmitted by certain
species of sand fly, including flies in the
genus Lutzomyia and Phlebotomus.

5. Life Cycle of Leishmania spp

6. Disease Transmission
1- Through the bite of infected sand
fly.
2- By direct contact with infected
material from the lesion of an
infected person.

7. Clinical Features
• Human leishmanial infections can result in 3
main forms of disease:
– cutaneous leishmaniasis (oriental sore),
– visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar),
– Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (Espundia).
• The factors determining the form of disease
include:
– leishmanial species,
– geographic location,
– immune response of the host.

8. Cutaneous leishmaniasis
• Cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized
by:
1- one or more cutaneous lesions on areas where
sandflies have fed.
2- Persons who have cutaneous leishmaniasis
have one or more sores on their skin.
3- The sores can change in size and appearance
over time.
4- They often end up looking somewhat like a
volcano, with a raised edge and central crater.
5- A scab covers some sores.
6- The sores can be painless or painful.

9. Cutaneous leishmaniasis
…cont.

10. Cutaneous leishmaniasis
…cont.

11. Visceral Leishmaniasis
• Persons who have visceral
leishmaniasis usually have:
1- Fever.
2- Weight loss.
3- Enlarged spleen and liver (usually the spleen
is bigger than the liver).
4- Low blood counts, including a low red blood
cell count (anemia), low white blood cell count
(leukopenia), and low platelet count.

12. Visceral Leishmaniasis …..
Cont.

13. Diagnosis of Leishmaniasis
• Clinically :
1- Fever
2- Enlargement of liver and spleen.
3- Anaemia & leukopenia.
4- By the picture of sore.

14. • - Clinical signs and symptoms
• - Scrapings from the side or edge of the lesion in case of cutaneous
leishmaniasis and material aspirated from the spleen, bone marrow or
enlarged lymph glands and peripheral blood monocytes in case of
visceral leishmaniasis for demonstration of amastigotes by light
microscopy with Wright or Giemsa stain
• - Isolation, visualization, and culturing of the parasite from infected
tissue - Serologic detection of antibodies to Leishmania that may be
present in patient’s serum - Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for
sensitive and rapid diagnosis of Leishmania species
• - Leishmanin (Montenegro) skin testing (LST) 5
• - It is an intradermal test for delayed hypersensitivity.
• - Most reliable for cutaneous leishmaniasis. A suspension of 107/ml
promastigotes in 0.5% phenol/saline given intradermally. Test is read
after 2~3 days.
• Positive test included erythema and induration occur within 48 hours

15. THANK YOU