Changes

==Recognition==

==Recognition==

''Leishmania spp.'' are ovoid shaped parasites containing a rod shaped 'kinetoplast'. The kinetoplast is associated with a rudimentary flagellum that does not extened beyond the cell margin. The position of the kinetoplast changes as the parasite changes between life stages. Once ingested by a sand fly the parasite takes the promastigote form and the kinetoplast moves the the posterior of the cell.

''Leishmania spp.'' are ovoid shaped parasites containing a rod shaped 'kinetoplast'. The kinetoplast is associated with a rudimentary flagellum that does not extened beyond the cell margin. The position of the kinetoplast changes as the parasite changes between life stages. Once ingested by a sand fly the parasite takes the promastigote form and the kinetoplast moves to the posterior of the cell.

 

==Life Cycle==

==Life Cycle==

The life cycle of ''Leishamania spp.'' requires transmission between mammalian (and occasionally reptile) hosts by a blood sucking fly. The [[Psychodidae|sand flies]] is the intermediate host, in the Old World the flies are of the genus ''Phlebotomus'' and in the New World they are of the genus ''Lutzomyia''.

The life cycle of ''Leishamania spp.'' requires transmission between mammalian (and occasionally reptile) hosts by a blood sucking fly. The [[Psychodidae|sand flies]] is the intermediate host, in the Old World the flies are of the genus ''Phlebotomus'' and in the New World they are of the genus ''Lutzomyia''.

The promastigote form which lacks a flagella is found in the vertebrate hosts [[Macrophage|macrophages]]. The amistgote is ingested by the sand fly whilst it feeds on the host, once ingested the ''Leishamnia'' will transform into the flagellated promastigote form in the insect gut. Replication by binary fission occurs in the insects gut followed by migration to the proboscis of the insect. The presence of ''Leishamnia'' in the insects proboscis allows innoculation of the next host on which the fly feeds with the ''Leishmania'' parasite. Crushing the sand fly on the skin of a mammal can allow percutaneous transmission.

The promastigote form which lacks a flagella is found in the vertebrate hosts [[Macrophage|macrophages]]. The amistgote is ingested by the sand fly whilst it feeds on the host, once ingested the ''Leishamnia'' will transform into the flagellated promastigote form in the insect gut. Replication by binary fission occurs in the insects gut followed by migration to the proboscis of the insect. The presence of ''Leishamnia'' in the insects proboscis allows inoculation of the next host on which the fly feeds with the ''Leishmania'' parasite. Crushing the sand fly on the skin of a mammal can allow percutaneous transmission.

Once inside the vertebrate host the ''Leishmania'' will invade the hosts [[Macrophage|macrophages]] and having done this revert to the amastigote form.

Once inside the vertebrate host the ''Leishmania'' will invade the hosts [[Macrophage|macrophages]] and having done this revert to the amastigote form.

==Treatment and Control==

==Treatment and Control==

Control of ''Leishmania'' is difficult due to the large environmental pool and the sand flies that transmit the disease. One method is to prevent the sand flies from biting dogs by using collars inpregnated with [[Ectoparasiticides|insecticides]] or repellents. These have a limited effect and do not guarantee the safety of the animal. Destruction of infected and stray dogs will decrease the pool from which sand flies may obtain the parasite but this is often morally difficult and due to the infection of wildlife does not stop spread completely.  

Control of ''Leishmania'' is difficult due to the large environmental pool and the sand flies that transmit the disease. One method is to prevent the sand flies from biting dogs by using collars impregnated with [[Ectoparasiticides|insecticides]] or repellents. These have a limited effect and do not guarantee the safety of the animal. Destruction of infected and stray dogs will decrease the pool from which sand flies may obtain the parasite but this is often morally difficult and due to the infection of wildlife does not stop spread completely.  

Chemotherapy can be used to treat dogs with leishmaniasis; however this will not eliminate the infection completely. It may appear to resolve the infection, but it is not uncommon for clinical sign to return later in the dog's life. It is important to factor in the risks involved with chemotherapy, such as suppression of the immune system, and the expense of prolonged treatment.

Chemotherapy can be used to treat dogs with leishmaniasis; however this will not eliminate the infection completely. It may appear to resolve the infection, but it is not uncommon for clinical sign to return later in the dog's life. It is important to factor in the risks involved with chemotherapy, such as suppression of the immune system, and the expense of prolonged treatment.