LEISHMANIA Meaning and
Definition
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Leishmania refers to a genus of parasitic protozoan species that cause a group of diseases known as leishmaniasis. This genus belongs to the family Trypanosomatidae, which contains several other pathogenic species. Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease primarily transmitted to humans and animals through the bites of infected female sandflies.
Leishmania parasites are characterized by a complex life cycle that involves two different forms: the extracellular promastigotes found within the gut of the sandflies and the intracellular amastigotes residing within the macrophages of the mammalian host. The different species of Leishmania are distinguished by their specific geographical distribution and clinical manifestations.
The diseases caused by Leishmania can manifest in various forms, including cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis. The symptoms range from the appearance of skin ulcers in cutaneous forms to severe systemic conditions in visceral leishmaniasis. The severity of the disease depends on the species of Leishmania involved, the immune response of the host, and other factors.
The diagnosis of leishmaniasis typically involves laboratory tests to detect the presence of parasites in samples such as blood, tissue biopsies, or bone marrow. Treatment options vary based on the species and form of the disease but commonly include antiparasitic drugs such as pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, and miltefosine.
Prevention and control measures for leishmaniasis primarily focus on reducing exposure to sandflies. This includes the use of insect repellents, bed nets, and protective clothing, as well as the indoor spraying of insecticides. Research continues to develop
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A genus of protozoans of the family Herpetomonidce; found as small oval protoplasmic masses, with trophonuclei and kinetonuclei, in the endothelial cells, leucocytes, and blood of mammals, developing into flagellate organisms in cultures.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEISHMANIA
- keishmania
- peishmania
- oeishmania
- lwishmania
- lsishmania
- ldishmania
- lrishmania
- l4ishmania
- l3ishmania
- leushmania
- lejshmania
- lekshmania
- leoshmania
- le9shmania
- le8shmania
- leiahmania
- leizhmania
- leixhmania
- leidhmania
- leishmawnia
Etymology of LEISHMANIA
The word "Leishmania" has its roots in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "leishmaniasis" (λεισμανίασις), which means "infection caused by a leishman" or "violent illness". The term "leishman" in Greek implies "enemy" or "harmful". This term was coined by the Scottish pathologist Sir William Boog Leishman, who identified the parasite causing the disease in 1901 and named it after himself. Hence, the term "Leishmania" was created to describe the genus of protozoan parasites responsible for causing the disease known as leishmaniasis.
Similar spelling words for LEISHMANIA
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