Leishmania infection. Also see species-specific Leishmania programs.Encyclopedia Entry for Leishmaniasis :Leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is caused by a tiny parasite called leishmania protozoa. Protozoa are one-celled organisms. There are different forms of leishmaniasis. Cutaneous leishmaniasis affects the skin and mucous membranes. Skin sores usually start at the site of the sandfly bite. In a few people, sores may develop on mucous membranes. Systemic, or visceral, leishmaniasis affects the entire body. This form occurs 2 to 8 months after a person is bitten by the sandfly. Most people do not remember having a skin sore. This form can lead to deadly complications. The parasites damage the immune system by decreasing the numbers of disease-fighting cells. Cases of leishmaniasis have been reported on all continents except Australia and Antarctica. In the Americas, leishmaniasis can be found in Mexico and South America. Leishmaniasis has been reported in military personnel returning from the Persian Gulf.Symptoms of cutaneous leishmaniasis depend on where the lesions are located and may include: Breathing difficulty Skin sores, which may become a skin ulcer that heals very slowly Stuffy nose, runny nose, and nosebleeds Swallowing difficulty Ulcers and wearing away (erosion) in the mouth, tongue, gums, lips, nose, and inner nose Systemic visceral infection in children usually begins suddenly with: Cough Diarrhea Fever Vomiting Adults usually have a fever for 2 weeks to 2 months, along with symptoms such as fatigue , weakness , and appetite loss. Weakness increases as the disease gets worse. Other symptoms of systemic visceral leishmaniasis may include: Abdominal discomfort Fever that lasts for weeks; may come and go in cycles Night sweats Scaly, gray, dark, ashen skin Thinning hair Weight loss.Your health care provider will examine you and may find that your spleen, liver, and lymph nodes are enlarged. You will be asked if you recall being bitten by sandflies or if you've been in an area where leishmaniasis is common. Tests that may be done to diagnose the condition include: Biopsy of the spleen and culture Bone marrow biopsy and culture Direct agglutination assay Indirect immunofluorescent antibody test Leishmania-specific PCR test Liver biopsy and culture Lymph node biopsy and culture Montenegro skin test (not approved in the United States) Skin biopsy and culture Other tests that may be done include: Complete blood count Serologic testing Serum albumin Serum immunoglobulin levels Serum protein.Medicines called antimony-containing compounds are the main drugs used to treat leishmaniasis. These include: Meglumine antimoniate Sodium stibogluconate Other drugs that may be used include: Amphotericin B Ketoconazole Miltefosine Paromomycin Pentamidine Plastic surgery may be needed to correct the disfigurement caused by sores on the face (cutaneous leishmaniasis).Cure rates are high with the proper medicine, especially when treatment is started before the immune system is damaged. Cutaneous leishmaniasis may lead to disfigurement. Death is usually caused by complications (such as other infections), rather than from the disease itself. Death often occurs within 2 years.Leishmaniasis may lead to the following: Bleeding (hemorrhage) Deadly infections due to immune system damage Disfigurement of the face.Contact your provider if you have symptoms of leishmaniasis after visiting an area where the disease is known to occur.Taking measures to avoid sandfly bites can help prevent leishmaniasis: Putting fine mesh netting around the bed (in areas where the disease occurs) Screening windows Wearing insect repellent Wearing protective clothing Public health measures to reduce sandflies are important. There are no vaccines or drugs that prevent leishmaniasis.Kala-azar; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Visceral leishmaniasis; Old world leishmaniasis; New world leishmaniasis.Leishmaniasis Leishmaniasis Leishmaniasis, mexicana - lesion on the cheek Leishmaniasis, mexicana - lesion on the cheek Leishmaniasis on the finger Leishmaniasis on the finger Leishmania panamensis on the foot Leishmania panamensis on the foot Leishmania panamensis - close-up Leishmania panamensis - close-up.Boelaert M, Sundar S. Leishmaniasis.Encyclopedia Entry for Leishmaniasis :Leishmaniasis: Leishmaniasis is a disease spread by the bite of the sandfly. It is found mostly in tropical countries. There are several types of leishmaniasis, and they vary in symptoms and severity. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL, or kala azar) is the most severe; left untreated, it is always fatal. Its symptoms include fever, weight loss, anemia, and a swelling of the spleen and liver. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL, or espundia) produces lesions that affect the nose, mouth, and throat and can destroy their mucous membranes. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) produces skin ulcers, sometimes as many as 200, that cause disability and extensive scarring. Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (DCL) is similar to CL, and infected people are prone to relapses. Approximately 12 million cases of leishmaniasis exist today.Encyclopedia Entry for Leishmaniasis :Leishmaniasis. Source of disease: Leishmania species