LEISHMANIASIS AMERICANA Meaning and
Definition
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Leishmaniasis Americana, also known as American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL), is a parasitic disease caused by the Leishmania parasite. It primarily affects the skin and mucous membranes, resulting in a variety of skin lesions.
The disease is transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies, belonging to the genus Lutzomyia in the Americas. Upon penetration of the skin, the parasites enter the host's macrophages, where they multiply and cause a localized infection. The initial symptoms may take weeks to months to appear after the bite and usually start as a painless, red, and raised bump.
As the infection progresses, the skin lesion gradually enlarges and may develop into an ulcer with a characteristic raised border. The ulcers can be painless or mildly painful and may take months to heal; in some cases, they may leave a visible scar. ACL primarily affects exposed areas of the body, such as the face, ears, and extremities.
In rare cases, the Leishmania parasites can spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, causing systemic complications. However, unlike other forms of leishmaniasis, ACL generally does not affect internal organs or cause life-threatening conditions.
Prevention measures for ACL include avoiding sandfly bites by using protective clothing, applying insect repellents, and sleeping under bed nets. Treatment typically involves the use of antiparasitic medications, such as pentavalent antimonials, amphotericin B, or miltefosine, which help to eliminate the parasites and promote healing of the skin lesions.
Common Misspellings for LEISHMANIASIS AMERICANA
- keishmaniasis americana
- peishmaniasis americana
- oeishmaniasis americana
- lwishmaniasis americana
- lsishmaniasis americana
- ldishmaniasis americana
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- l3ishmaniasis americana
- leushmaniasis americana
- lejshmaniasis americana
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- leoshmaniasis americana
- le9shmaniasis americana
- le8shmaniasis americana
- leiahmaniasis americana
- leizhmaniasis americana
- leixhmaniasis americana
- leidhmaniasis americana
Etymology of LEISHMANIASIS AMERICANA
The etymology of the term "Leishmaniasis Americana" can be broken down as follows:
1. Leishmaniasis: This term is derived from the name of a Scottish pathologist, Sir William Boog Leishman, who first described the disease in 1903. Leishmaniasis refers to a group of vector-borne diseases caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania.
2. Americana: The term "Americana" refers to anything related to America, specifically the continents of North and South America. In the context of "Leishmaniasis Americana", it denotes the type of leishmaniasis found in the Americas.
Combining these elements, "Leishmaniasis Americana" is a term used to describe a specific form of leishmaniasis prevalent in the Americas.
