Leishmania infantum
Synonym(s): Leishmania chagasi
Introduction
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.
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Resting Forms
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Clinical Effects
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Diagnosis
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Solano-Gallego L, Koutinas A, Miró G et al (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 et al (2009) PCR survey of vectorborne pathogens in dogs living in and around Barcelona, an area endemic for leishmaniosis. Vet Rec 164 (4), 112-116 PubMed.
- Baneth G, Koutinas A F, Solano-Gallego L et al (2008) Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part one. Trends Parasitol 24 (7), 324-330 PubMed.
- Miró G, Cardoso L, Pennisi M G et al (2008) Canine leishmaniosis - new concepts and insights on an expanding zoonosis: part two. Trends Parasitol 24 (8), 371-377 PubMed.
- Baneth G & Shaw S E (2002) Chemotherapy of canine leishmaniasis. Vet Parasitol 106 (4), 315-324 VetMedResource.
- Lindsay D S, Zajac A M & Barr S C (2002) Leishmaniasis in the American foxhounds: an emerging zoonosis? Comp Cont Ed Pract Vet 24 (4), 304-313 VetMedResource.
- Mauricio I L, Howard M K, Stothard J R et al (1999) Genomic diversity in the Leishmania donovani complex. Parasitol 119 (3), 237-246 PubMed.
Other sources of information
- European Medicines Agency: http://www.ema.europa.eu/ema/index.jsp?curl=pages/medicines/veterinary/medicines/002232/vet_med_000234.jsp&mid=WC0b01ac058001fa1c
- Advanced management of Canine Leishmaniosis. Proceedings of Southern European Veterinary Conference (SEVC) 2011 Symposium, Barcelona, Spain. September 30, 2011.
- Canine Leishmaniasis: an update. (1999) Ed R Killick-Kendrick.Proc Int Canine Leishmania Forum. Barcelona, Spain.
- Molyneux D H & Ashford R W (1983) The biology of Trypanosoma and Leishmania, parasites of man and domestic animals. International Publications Service, pp 185-225.