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==Overview==

==Overview==

''Leishmania spp.'' are intracellular parasites of [[Macrophage|macrophages]] from the same family as ''[[Trypanosoma]] spp.''. These organisms parasitise human, dogs and wild animals throughout southern Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. The infection is transmitted by [[Psychodidae|sandflies]]. Infection can cause both cutaneous and visceral disease. Three types of ''Leishmania spp.'' are described;

''Leishmania spp.'' are intracellular parasites of [[Macrophage|macrophages]] from the same family as ''[[Trypanosoma]] spp.''. These organisms parasitise human, dogs and wild animals throughout southern Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. The infection is transmitted by [[Psychodidae|sandflies]]. Infection can cause both cutaneous and visceral disease. Clinical disease cause by ''Leishmania'' is termed [[Leishmaniosis]]. Three types of ''Leishmania spp.'' are described;

# '''Hypoplaria''' - found in lizards that ingest the sandfly intermediate host. Development occurs in the hindgut of the fly.

# '''Hypopylaria''' - found in lizards that ingest the sandfly intermediate host. Development occurs in the hindgut of the fly.

# '''Peripylaria''' - found in mammals and lizards, development occurs in the fore- and hindgut of the fly.

# '''Peripylaria''' - found in mammals and lizards, development occurs in the fore- and hindgut of the fly.

# '''Suprpylaria''' - found only in mammals transmitted by the bite of a sandfly, development occurs in the fore- and midgut of the fly.

# '''Suprapylaria''' - found only in mammals transmitted by the bite of a sandfly, development occurs in the fore- and midgut of the fly.

==Recognition==

==Recognition==

==Pathogenesis==

==Pathogenesis==

Infection with ''Leishmania'' can produce either cutaneous or viscreal disease as the infected macrophages proliferate in foci. There is a very long incubation period from infection to pathology, which can take years and therefore many infected dogs either never become symptomatic or remain so for a long period of time.

Infection with ''Leishmania'' can produce either cutaneous or viscreal disease as the infected macrophages proliferate in foci. There is a very long incubation period from infection to pathology, which can take years and therefore many infected dogs either never become symptomatic or remain so for a long period of time. Even once an animal has been treated for leishmaniasis it is not uncommon for clinical symptoms to recur after a lengthy period of remission. Information on the clinical signs and treatment for disease caused by leishmania can be found on the [[Leishmaniosis]] page.  

 

 

Even once an animal has been treated for leishmaniasis it is not uncommon for clinical symptoms to recur after a lengthy period of remission.

==Epidemiology==

==Epidemiology==

Although the UK is not home to any species of sand fly, leishmaniasis is being observed more frequently in the domestic dog population. This has largely been attributed to the increase in the number of animals that travel to areas of Europe and north Africa where the disease is endemic. These animals often acquire the disease whilst abroad but may not show clinical signs until they have been back in the UK for a considerable length of time. There has however been some evidence to show that clost contact between dogs can spread the disease, though this method of transmission is much less common.

Although the UK is not home to any species of sand fly, leishmaniasis is being observed more frequently in the domestic dog population. This has largely been attributed to the increase in the number of animals that travel to areas of Europe and north Africa where the disease is endemic. These animals often acquire the disease whilst abroad but may not show clinical signs until they have been back in the UK for a considerable length of time. There has however been some evidence to show that clost contact between dogs can spread the disease, though this method of transmission is much less common.

[[Category:Tropical Protozoa]]

[[Category:Tropical Protozoa]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]