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Leishmaniasis
Definition 1
A parasitic infection caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania. It is transmitted to humans via the bite of sandflies. There are three main forms of the disease: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. Cutaneous leishmaniasis causes skin ulcers; mucocutaneous leishmaniasis causes destructive lesions of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and throat; visceral leishmaniasis is the most severe form of the disease and is manifested with anemia, weight loss, hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. (NCI Thesaurus)
Definition 2
A disease caused by any of a number of species of protozoa in the genus LEISHMANIA. There are four major clinical types of this infection: cutaneous (Old and New World) (LEISHMANIASIS, CUTANEOUS), diffuse cutaneous (LEISHMANIASIS, DIFFUSE CUTANEOUS), mucocutaneous (LEISHMANIASIS, MUCOCUTANEOUS), and visceral (LEISHMANIASIS, VISCERAL). (NLM, Medical Subject Headings)
More information
Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease spread by the bite of infected sand flies. There are several different forms of leishmaniasis. The most common are cutaneous and visceral. The cutaneous type causes skin sores. The visceral type affects internal organs such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow. People with this form usually have fever, weight loss, and an enlarged spleen and liver.
Leishmaniasis is found in parts of about 88 countries. Most of these countries are in the tropics and subtropics. It is possible but very unlikely that you would get this disease in the United States. But you should be aware of it if you are traveling to the Middle East or parts of Central America, South America, Asia, Africa or southern Europe.
Treatment is with medicines that contain antimony, a type of metal, or with strong antibiotics. The best way to prevent the disease is to protect yourself from sand fly bites:
• Stay indoors from dusk to dawn, when sand flies are the most active
• Wear long pants and long-sleeved shirts when outside
• Use insect repellent and bed nets as needed (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
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