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Even once an animal has been treated for leishmaniasis it is not uncommon for clinical symptoms to recur after a lengthy period of remission.
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==
The spread of the disease relies on the presence of the [[Psychodidae|sand fly]]as a vector. Therfore the regions in which it is found commonly are those in which conditions are suitable for the flies such as the Mediteranean coast, southern Europe as well as in central America and northern Africa. As these flies are very common in these regions controlling there numbers has limited success, however due to control of [[Culicidae|mosquitos]] to prevent the spread of malaria the number of sand flies has also been reduced and a reduction in the number of cases of leishmania has been noted. Although this parasite is of primary veterinary importance in dogs, large reservoirs exist in wild animals and stray dogs. This reservoir is easily accessed by the sand fly vector and compounds the issue of controlling the spread of the disease.
The spread of the disease relies on the presence of the [[Psychodidae|sand fly]]as a vector. Therfore the regions in which it is found commonly are those in which conditions are suitable for the flies such as the Mediteranean coast, southern Europe as well as in central America and northern Africa. As these flies are very common in these regions controlling there numbers has limited success, however due to control of [[Culicidae|mosquitos]] to prevent the spread of malaria the number of sand flies has also been reduced and a reduction in the number of cases of leishmania has been noted. Although this parasite is of primary veterinary importance in dogs, large reservoirs exist in wild animals and stray dogs. This reservoir is easily accessed by the sand fly vector and compounds the issue of controlling the spread of the disease.
Although the UK is not home to any species of sand fly, leishmaniasis is being observed more frequently in the domestic dog population. This is largely due to the increase in the number of animals that travel to areas of
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.
==Diagnosis==
Definitive diagnosis of Leishmaniasis requires combining observation of the clinical signs discussed above and the demonstration of ''Leishmania'' orgnisms in the animal. In the cutaneous disease this may be done by microscopic analysis of skin scrapings from the animals. For diagnosis of the visceral disease samples of joint fluid, [[Lymph Nodes - Anatomy & Physiology|lymph node]] or [[Bone Marrow - Anatomy & Physiology|bone marrow]] biopsies may all contain macrophages that have been infected by the organisms.
==Treatment and Control==
*Chemotherapy
*Chemotherapy
**Prolonged treatment, expensive, suppresses infection
**Prolonged treatment, expensive, suppresses infection
**[[Psychodidae|Sand flies]] biting infected dogs may spread the disease to other dogs, humans and wildlife
**[[Psychodidae|Sand flies]] biting infected dogs may spread the disease to other dogs, humans and wildlife
**There is a slight possibility of transmission to humans by direct contact
**There is a slight possibility of transmission to humans by direct contact
[[Category:Tropical Protozoa]]
[[Category:Tropical Protozoa]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_Parasites]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]