LEISHMANIASIS

A RARE PARASITIC DISEASE WITH THREE STRANDS

The parasite lives in the female sandfly. Most active during warmer months and at night.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS (1ST FORM). AFFECTING THE SKIN

• Skin lesions, primarily In the mouth, nose or lips
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Nose bleeds
• Difficulty breathing

The second form, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis(affecting the mucous membranes) has similar symptoms to the cutaneous form.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS (3RD FORM). AFFECTING THE INTERNAL ORGANS

• Weight loss
• Weakness
• Cough
• Prolonged fever
• Enlarged spleen and liver
• Decreased red blood cells
• Bleeding
• Other infections
• Night sweats
• Thinning hair
• Scaly skin or dark ashen skin

COUNTRIES WHERE DISEASE IS PREVALENT

• Bangladesh
• Brazil
• Ethiopia
• India
• Sudan
• Syria

REASON

• Sandflies are the most active in those environments
• More than 90 of the 1,000 sandflies transmit different clinical forms of leishmaniasis

TECHNOLOGY

• Pentavalent antimonials , developed in 1945. The first choice for all strands but not always 100%
• Most drugs available are more harmful than helpful, they end up causing other infections before fully treating the parasite.
• Amphotericin B is costly and used in developed countries.
• Microcapsules made of albumin are a cheap alternative.

Prevention and precautions
There are no vaccinations or medications available to prevent leishmaniasis. There are precautionary measures that can decrease being bitten
~minimize uncovered skin
~insect repellent under clothing and especially uncovered areas
~stay in well screened or air conditioned areas
~purchase bed nets and clothing before traveling that have been treated with pyrethroid containing insecticide