All of the following are true regarding Visceral Leishmaniasis except-
A. Caused by L. tropicaB. Post-leishmaniasis dermatitis is common
C. Antimonials are useful drugs
D. Diagnosed by blood smear
E. Vector is phlebotomussergenti
Answer. A. Caused by L. tropica ; (B) Post-leishmaniasis
dermatitis is common ; (E) Vector is phlebotomus sergenti.
— Visceral -leishmaniasis or kala-azar
is caused by Leishmania donovani.
— The vector for Kala-azar is sandfly.
Different species of sandfly transmit
different diseases;
• Phlebotomus argentipes — Kala-azar
• Phlebotomus papatasi — Sandfly fever,
oriental sore
• Phlebotomus sergenti — Oriental sore
• S. punjabensis — Sand fly fever
• Post Kala-azar dermal leishmanisis is
a type of ulcerative cuntaneous lesion prevalent in endemic areas of India.
— Develops in about l0 of Kala-azar
patients.
— Develops after one or two yrs after
completion of antimonial treatment for original disease.
— It is appear when visceral infection
disappear but cutanous infection persists.
— It has been found in spontaneously
cured Kala-azar patients also :
Besides face , lesions appear on
extensor surface of limbs, sides and back of the trunk.
• Definite
diagnosis of leishmaniasis requires demonstration of parasite. Thin blood smear or
histologic section is required to identify amastigotes of the parasite.
