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B2: microbiology > Leishmania > Flashcards

Flashcards in Leishmania Deck (20)
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1
Q

What is the insect vector for leishmania?

A

Sandfly

2
Q

Inside the human host, which cells do the parasites replicatewithin?

A

Macrophages

3
Q

What are the two forms of leishmania and how are they different?

A

Promastigotes – found in the sandfly – they have a flagellum (which they move towards) and they are motile Amastigotes – found within humans/other vertebrate hosts – they have resorbed their flagellum and are no longer motile – found in macrophages

4
Q

Where, across the world, are sandflies found?

A

Warm parts of the world – Southern Europe, Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Australia

5
Q

How is transmission of leishmania in Europe changing?

A

It is spreading northwards

6
Q

Describe the appearance and behaviour of sandflies.

A

They are small and hairy They hop around before settling down to bite Unlike mosquitoes, they are silent in attack

7
Q

Which gender of sandflies takes blood meals?

A

Females – need blood to provide nutrition for eggs

8
Q

What are the four major forms of leishmaniasis?

A

Visceral Leishmaniasis Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Diffuse Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis

9
Q

What is another name for visceral leishmaniasis?

A

Kala Azar (black fever)

10
Q

What are the features of visceral leishmaniasis?

A

Irregular fever Weight loss Enlarged liver and spleen Anaemia

11
Q

What are some risk factors for visceral leishmaniasis?

A

Malnutrition Immunosuppression (e.g. because of drugs) HIV

12
Q

Which type of leishmania causes the majority of cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Ethiopia?

A

L. donovani

13
Q

How is visceral leishmaniasis diagnosed?

A

Visualisation of the amastigote parasite my microscopic examination of aspirates Antibody detection

14
Q

What are the treatment options for visceral leishmaniasis?

A

Sodium stibogluconate or meglumin antimoniate Liposomal amphotericin B

15
Q

What other clinical manifestation of leishmania can occur during or after treatment for visceral leishmaniasis?

A

Post Kala-azar Dermal Leishmaniasis (PKDL)

16
Q

Describe the features of local cutaneous leishmaniasis.

A

Heals spontaneously Immunity from reinfection NOTE: it can still leave disfiguring scars

17
Q

Describe the features of diffused cutaneous leishmaniasis.

A

Disseminated lesions Resembles leprosy No spontaneous healing Difficult to treat Frequent relapses

18
Q

Which part of the body does mucocutaneous leishmaniasis typically affect?

A

Mouth and nose

19
Q

Describe the features of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.

A

Disfiguring and destroys mucous membranes No spontaneous healing Frequent relapses

20
Q

What type of leishmania are the majority of cutaneous leishmaniasis lesions caused by?

A

L. aethiopica