Leishmania Braziliensis By: Brittney Keel

Lieshmania Braziliensis The Lieshmania Braziliensis is transmitted by female sand flies and caused by intracellular protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Lieshmania Braziliensis is one of the 21 different types of lieshmanias that affect humans. Braziliensis is found in brazil and other Latin American countries. The different species are morphologically indistinguishable, but they can be differentiated by isoenzyme analysis, molecular methods, or monoclonal antibodies.

Categories There are three different types of categories that liechmanias are put into Cutanious- liechmanias that are put into this category can cause lesions on the body which can lead to disfigurement. Mucocutanious- the liechmanias that are put into this one are somewhat the same as cutanious but cause lesions and ulcers on the mucus membranes. Visceral- liechmanias that are put here like the core body temp. so they affect the internal body such as your liver, spleen, and even your bone marrow.

The Life Cycle

Macrophages eat promastigotes The Life Cycle Macrophages eat promastigotes Sand flies

Life Cycle cont.. Amastigotes multiply Sand fly ingest amastigotes

Life Cycle Amastigotes transform Promastigotes multiply Into promastigotes. Promastigotes multiply

An intact macrophage is practically filled with amastigotes Amastigotes are being freed from a rupturing macrophage.  Picture of a promastigote

Risks Children are at greater risk than adults in endemic areas. Malnutrition has been shown to contribute to the development of disease. Incomplete therapy of initial disease is a risk factor for recurrence of leishmaniasis. Of note, the bite of one infected sand fly is sufficient to cause the disease, since a sand fly can ingest more than 1000 parasites per bite.

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis The incubation period is from 1-3 months. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis can be the primary manifestation of the disease, but the primary lesions may also be limited to cutaneous manifestations, with mucosal lesions appearing only later in the course of disease when untreated cutaneous lesions progress to involve the oral and nasal surfaces. Cases in which the time between the primary lesion and the appearance of mucosal involvement is up to 2 decades have been reported. Initial symptoms related to mucosal lesions may include nasal obstruction and bleeding. Mucosal lesions become painful gradually and can become sites of infection, sometimes leading to sepsis. Cutaneous lesions can be single or multiple, and Secondary mucosal lesions often develop after the primary lesion has healed. Mucosal lesions can progress to involve the entire nasal mucosa and the hard and soft palates. Without treatment, the entire nasal mucosa and palates become deformed with ulceration and erosion of the nasal septum, lips, and palate. The disease attacks cartilaginous areas but usually spares bony structures, and it can leave extreme disfigurement. Signs include gingival edema, periodontitis, and adenopathy.

Prevention Some studies have shown protection against cutaneous leishmaniasis with vaccination of killed Leishmania promastigotes and live bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). This, however, does not seem to be protective against visceral leishmaniasis. Control of the sand flies.

Treatment Sodium antimony gluconate Pentamidine Miltefosine

More Info www.cdc.gov www.eMedicine.com