Leishmaniasis: Parasitic Disease Quiz

Causes and Transmission of Leishmaniasis

• Leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female phlebotomine sandfly.
• The parasite is known to exist in two main forms: visceral (affecting internal organs) and cutaneous (affecting the skin).

Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar)

• The most commonly affected internal organs are the spleen, liver, and bone marrow.
• Visceral leishmaniasis, if left untreated, can be fatal.

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

• Common symptoms include skin lesions or sores at the site of the sandfly bite, which can become chronic and lead to disfiguration.
• Skin lesions can appear weeks or even months after the initial bite.

Transmission to Humans

• Humans are accidental hosts, and the parasite's natural reservoirs are animals (e.g., dogs, rodents, and other wild animals).
• Sandflies become infected when they feed on the blood of infected animals, and then transmit the parasite to humans through their bites.

Test your knowledge about leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease found in tropical and subtropical regions, as well as southern Europe. Learn about the infection, spread, and different forms of leishmaniasis in people.