Image de Trypanosomatida

Description :

This micrograph revealed the presence of a number of leptomonad-staged, i.e. promastigote, Leishmania sp. protozoa.

Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne disease that is transmitted by sandflies, and caused by these obligate intracellular protozoa, is a human leishmanial infections, which can result in 2 main forms, cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar). The forms depend upon the leishmanial species, geographic location, and immune response of the host.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized by one or more cutaneous lesions on areas where sandflies have fed. Patients manifest 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, with a raised edge and central crater. A scab covers some sores. The sores can be painless or painful. Some people have swollen glands near the sores (for example, in the armpit if the sores are on the arm or hand).
Created: 1973