What is the morphology of Leishmania?

What is the morphology of Leishmania?

Classification and Morphology. The morphology of Leishmania protozoa varies by species and throughout the life cycle. Leishmania is able to exist in two forms: amastigote when it is in the human host (intracellular), and promastigote when it exists in the vector (extracellular).

What is the vector of leishmaniasis?

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that is transmitted by sandflies and caused by obligate intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Human infection is caused by about 21 of 30 species that infect mammals.

Where is leishmaniasis endemic?

Visceral leishmaniasis is highly endemic in Iraq, Somalia and Sudan.

Is leishmaniasis a bacteria?

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus, Leishmania. Protozoa are microscopic, single-celled organisms. The parasites that cause the disease are transmitted to people through the bites of certain species of infected sand flies.

What causes toxoplasmosis?

Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused by a single-celled parasite called Toxoplasma gondii. While the parasite is found throughout the world, more than 40 million people in the United States may be infected with the Toxoplasma parasite.

What kind of disease is leishmaniasis caused by?

It is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. There are several different forms of leishmaniasis in people. The most common forms are cutaneous leishmaniasis, which causes skin sores, and visceral leishmaniasis,…

What is the morphology of the Leishmania protozoa?

Morphology. The morphology of Leishmania protozoa varies by species and throughout the life cycle. Leishmania is able to exist in two forms: amastigote when it is in the human host (intracellular), and promastigote when it exists in the vector (extracellular). Otherwise, on a morphological level, leishmania which infect humans,

What does cutaneous leishmaniasis look like on skin?

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized by one or more cutaneous lesions on areas where sandflies have fed. Persons who have cutaneous leishmaniasis have one or more sores on their skin. The sores can change in size and appearance over time. They often end up looking somewhat like a volcano,…

How is leishmaniasis a neglected tropical disease ( NTD )?

It is classified as a neglected tropical disease (NTD). Leishmaniasis is caused by infection with Leishmania parasites, which are spread by the bite of phlebotomine sand flies. There are several different forms of leishmaniasis in people.