American leishmaniasis

leishmaniasis /leish·ma·ni·a·sis/ (lēsh″mah-ni´ah-sis) infection with Leishmania.

American leishmaniasis any of the types of cutaneous or visceral leishmaniasis occurring in South America, Central America, or Mexico.

cutaneous leishmaniasis an endemic granulomatous disease, divided into two forms: an Old World form caused by Leishmania major, L. tropica or L. aethiopica and a New World form caused by L. mexicana or L. viannia.

mucocutaneous leishmaniasis chronic, progressive, metastatic spread of the lesions of New World leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania viannia braziliensis to the nasal, pharyngeal, and buccal mucosa long after the appearance of the initial cutaneous lesion, causing widespread destruction of tissue with marked deformity.

post–kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis a condition associated with visceral leishmaniasis, characterized by hypopigmented or erythematous macules on the face and sometimes also the trunk and limbs, the facial lesions progressing to papules and nodules resembling those of lepromatous leprosy.

leishmaniasis reci´divans a prolonged, relapsing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis resembling tuberculosis of the skin.

visceral leishmaniasis a chronic, highly fatal if untreated, infectious disease caused by Leishmania donovani, characterized by hepatosplenomegaly, fever, chills, vomiting, anemia, leukopenia, hypergammaglobulinemia, and an earth-gray color of the skin.

American leishmaniasis

See mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

American leishmaniasis,

a group of infections caused by various species of the parasitic protozoa Leishmania of Central and South America, characterized by cutaneous lesions at the site of the sandfly bite and transmitting infection and causing disfiguring ulcerative lesions of the nose, mouth, and throat or visceral disease. Illness may be prolonged, rendering patients susceptible to serious secondary infections. Kinds of American leishmaniasis are chiclero ulcer, espundia, forest yaws, and uta. Also called mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, New World leishmaniasis. See also leishmaniasis.

leishmaniasis [lēsh″mah-ni´ah-sis]

any disease due to infection with Leishmania.

American leishmaniasis forms of cutaneous leishmaniasis and visceral leishmaniasis found in the Americas.

cutaneous leishmaniasis an endemic disease transmitted by the sandfly and characterized by the development of cutaneous papules that evolve into nodules, break down to form ulcers, and heal with scarring. It has been divided into Old World and New World forms, and the Old World form is subdivided into urban and rural types. The Old World form is caused by organisms of the Leishmania tropica complex; the New World form is caused by organisms of the L. mexicana and L. viannia complexes. It is endemic in the tropics and subtropics, and has been called by various names such as Aleppo boil, Delhi sore, Baghdad sore, and Oriental sore. Treatment consists of injections of pentavalent antimonial compounds. Antibiotics are used to combat secondary infection. Simple lesions may be cleaned, curetted, and left to heal.

cutaneous leishmaniasis, diffuse a rare chronic form of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania aethiopica in Ethiopia and Kenya, L. pifanoi in Venezuela, and species of the L. viannia and L. mexicana subclass in South and Central America, respectively, in which the lesions resemble those of nodular leprosy or of keloid. Pentavalent antimonial compounds are useful in some forms, while others are antimony-resistant. The prognosis for a complete cure is not good; relapses are common.

mucocutaneous leishmaniasis a disease endemic in South and Central America caused by Leishmania viannia, marked by ulceration of the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth, and pharynx; widespread destruction of soft tissues in nasal and oral regions may occur. Called also espundia. Treatment consists of injections of pentavalent antimonial compounds.

leishmaniasis reci´divans a prolonged, relapsing form of cutaneous leishmaniasis resembling tuberculosis of the skin; it may last for many years.

visceral leishmaniasis a chronic, highly fatal if untreated, infectious disease endemic in the tropics and subtropics, caused by the protozoon Leishmania donovani. Sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus are the vectors. Called also kala-azar.

Symptoms. Symptoms are usually vague, resembling those of incipient pulmonary tuberculosis; the disease is often confused with malaria. There may be fever, chills, malaise, cough, anorexia, anemia, and wasting. The Leishmania organisms multiply in the cells of the reticuloendothelial system, eventually causing hyperplasia of the cells, especially those of the liver and spleen. Diagnosis is confirmed by demonstration of the parasite.

Treatment. Two groups of compounds are recommended: pentavalent organic antimonials, such as sodium antimony gluconate, and aromatic diamidines, such as pentamidine, if the antimonials are ineffective. Rest is prescribed for patients debilitated by anemia. A decrease in white cell count (leukopenia) often accompanies the disease, and therefore the patient's resistance to secondary infections is lowered. In some cases transfusion may be necessary to bring blood values back to normal. The patient is given a well balanced diet and liberal amounts of fluids. Special mouth care and attention to the skin are necessary to avoid complications.

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chiclero ulcer cutaneous leishmaniasis espundia forest yaws kala-azar leishmaniasis leishmaniasis recidivans mucocutaneous leishmaniasis New World leishmaniasis uta visceral leishmaniasis			Human-to-vector-to-human transmission of parasites may also play a role in this form of American leishmaniasis. Geographic clustering of leishmaniasis in northeastern Brazil by Schriefer, Albert; Guimaraes, Luiz H.; Machado, Paulo R.L.; Lessa, Marcus; Lessa, Helio A.; Lago, Ed / Emerging Infectious Diseases Lymphocyte transformation test in patients with American leishmaniasis. A case of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. (Original Article) by Fornaro, Vincenzo / Ear, Nose and Throat Journal			American curl American Dance Therapy Association American Dental Association American Dental Hygienists Association American Dental Hygienists' Association American dog tick American dogweed American elk American encephalitis American equine encephalomyelitis American Eskimo dog American Foundation for the Blind American foxhound American hairless terrier American Health Information Management Association American Heart Association American hellebore American Holistic Nursing Association American Hospital Association American Institute of Homeopathy American Joint Committee on Cancer American Journal of Nursing American Kennel Club American Law Institute Formulation American Law Institute Rule American leishmaniasis American Mandrake American manual alphabet American Medical Association American Medical Association Council on Scientific Affairs American Medical Student Association American miniature horse American moose American Mountain Fever American Music Therapy Association American naprapathy American National Standards Institute American Nephrology Nurses' Association American Nurses Association American Nurses Association-Political Action Committee American Occupational Therapy Association American opossum American Organization of Nurse Executives American Osteopathic Association American pit bull terrier American Psychiatric Association American quarter horse American Rambouillet sheep American rattlesnake American Red Cross American Registry of Radiologic Technologists			American Lebanese Medical Association American Lebanese National Mission American Lebanese Syrian Associated Charities American Legacy Dance Theatre American Legacy Foundation American Legal Foundation American Legal Nurse Consultant Certification Board American Legation United States Naval Attaché American Legend American Legion American Legion American Legion American Legion American Legion & Peoples State Forests American Legion Auxiliary American Legion Community Band American Legion Community Hospital American Legion Golf Course American Legion Hospital American Legion Jersey Boys' State American Legion of Honor American Legion State Forest American Legion World Series American Legion Yacht Club American Legionnaires American Legionnaires American Legionnaires American Legislative Exchange Council American legless lizard American legless lizard American leishmaniasis American Leisure Group American Leisure Group Limited American Leisure Group Ltd. American Leisure Holdings Inc American Leopard Cur Breeders Association American Leprosy Missions American Liberal-Independent Youth Alliance American Liberation Front American Liberation League American Liberty Currency American Liberty Foundation American Liberty League American Libraries American Library Association American Library Association American Library Association - Student Chapter American Library Association Student Chapter American Library Association Washington Office Newsline American Library Association-Library of Congress American Library Directory American Library History Round Table American Libya Trade Mission Association American licorice American Life and General Insurance Company Ltd. American Life Convention