Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a group of infectious diseases that occur with damage to the skin and mucous membranes (cutaneous leishmaniasis, or Pendinsky ulcer) or internal organs (visceral leishmaniasis, or kalaazar). Leishmaniasis is common in the Mediterranean countries, South Asia and South America.

Leishmaniasis is caused by Leishmania, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. When an infected mosquito bites, Leishmania penetrates the human skin, where it multiplies in cells. As a result of their vital activity, inflammation and necrosis develop in the tissues with the formation of ulcers.

With urban cutaneous leishmaniasis, a tubercle (leishmanioma) appears at the site of the bite after 3 months, which then ulcerates. In the rural type, ulcers form in the first weeks of the disease.

Visceral leishmaniasis (kalaazar) affects internal organs - liver, spleen, bone marrow. Fever, anemia, and hepatosplenomegaly develop.

For prevention, mosquito control is carried out and repellents are used. A vaccine against leishmaniasis has not yet been developed. Treatment is carried out with drugs based on antimony.