Leishmaniasis

Where?

Mediterranean Countries, USA (Oklahoma), Asia, Africa, Central and South America

Seasons

From August to September

Humans

It can spread to humans

What is it?

It's a protozoan disease transmitted through the bite of infected sandflies (Phlebotomus)

How?

Defence cells (macrophages) are able to ingest the parasite in order to eliminate the infection, but Leishmania can multiply inside defence cells causing their rupture

Incubation

Clinical signs can develop after several years

Signs

 It's a shifty disease because clinical signs may not be evident. Generally it's a chronic disease and the most evident signs are: scaling, skin thickening, ulcers (head, nose and eyelids), nose bleeding and nail lengthening

Treatment

It's very long, tough and dear. The drugs of choice are not available in UK or not licensed. The treatment doesn't always lead to effective results, and often non curative. Notes for UK

Protocol

Subcutaneous administration of meglumine antimonate is generally used, alone or in combination with Allopurinol

Prevention

NO effective preventive treatments are available for now. The use of sprays against fleas and ticks are suggested to avoid sandflies bites. The use of DEET sprays is good. Blood tests to monitor the disease can be performed not prior than one month from suspected infection