Leishmania infantum

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Sections available in full article Classification, Distribution, Significance, Active Forms, Active Form 1, Active Form 2, Clinical Effects, Epidemiology, Pathological effects, Control, Diagnosis, Useful samples, Laboratory diagnosis, Sources, Publications,
Contributors Prof. David Lindsay PhD
Dr Gad Baneth DVM PhD
Ms Susan E Shaw BVSc (Hons) (Syd) MSc DipACVIM DipECVIM FACVSc MRCVS
Synonyms Leishmania chagasi

Classification


Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Protista
  • Phylum: Sarcomastigophora
  • Subphylum: Mastigophora
  • Class: Zoomastigophora
  • Order: Kinetoplastida
  • Family: Trypanosomatidae
  • Genus: Leishmania
  • Species: Infantum

Etymology

  • Leishmania infantum is in the Leishmania donovani complex. It is occasionally incorrectly referred to as L donovani.
  • The name, Leishmania chagasi is a synonym for L. infantum used in South America.

Distribution

  • Endemic in countries of the Mediterranean basin, the Middle East, parts of Africa and Asia and South America.
  • Now commonly found in dogs that have traveled from an endemic area and then returned to an area traditionally free of Leishmania.
  • Unusual distribution within Foxhound breed Foxhound (American) in non-endemic areas of North America.

Significance

  • L infantum causes severe systematic disease in dogs Canine leishmaniosis.
  • Dogs are the principal reservoir host for human infection.
  • L infantum causes visceral disease particularly in young children and immunosuppressed individuals.

Sources

Publications

  • Recent references from PubMed.
  • Solano-Gallego L, Koutinas A, Miro G, Cardoso L, Pennisi M G, Ferrer L, Bourdeau P, Oliva G, Baneth G (2009) Directions for the diagnosis, clinical staging, treatment and prevention of canine leishmaniosis. Vet Parasitol 165 (1-2), 1-18 PubMed.
  • Tabar M-D, Francino O, Altet L, Sanchez A, Ferrer L & Roura X (2009) PCR survey of vectorborne pathogens in dogs living in and around Barcelona, an area endemic for leishmaniosis. Vet Rec 164 , 112-116 PubMed.
  • Miro G, Cardoso L, Pennisi M G, Oliva G, Baneth G (2008) Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part two. Trends Parasitol 24 (8), 371-377 PubMed.
  • Baneth G, Koutinas A F, Solano-Gallego L, Bourdeau P, Ferrer L (2008) Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part one. Trends Parasitol 24 (8), 371-378 PubMed.
  • Baneth G & Shaw S E (2002) Chemotherapy of canine leishmaniasis. Vet Parasitol 106, 315-324.
  • Lindsay D S, Zajac A M & Barr S C (2002) Canine leishmaniasis in the American Foxhounds: an emerging zoonosis? Comp Cont Ed Pract Vet 24, 304-312.
  • Mauricio I L, Howard M K, Stothard J R & Miles M A (1999) Genomic diversity in the Leishmania donovani complex. Parasitol 119 237-246.

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