Page 45 - Medical Parasitology_ A Textbook ( PDFDrive )

Leishmania braziliensis Complex and L. mexicana Complex 37

3. Skin test
Leishmanin skin test.
4. Serodiagnosis
Of limited value as the patient shows no detectable levels of circulating
antibodies.
5. Molecular diagnosis
PCR on clinical specimens.

Treatment

The specific treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis is the same as for visceral leish-
maniasis. Antimony resistant diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis can be treated with
pentamidine. Topical treatment consists of a paste of 10% charcoal in sulphuric acid
or liquid nitrogen.

Prevention and Control

1. Insecticide spraying
2. Use of protective clothing and insect repellants
3. Control of mammalian reservoir

Leishmania braziliensis Complex and L. mexicana Complex

Distribution

Leishmania braziliensis complex and L. mexicana complex cause new world leish-
maniasis in Central and South America.

Habitat

In human, amastigotes are found in the naso-oral mucosa.

Morphology

Morphology of amastigote and promastigote forms of both the parasites is the same
as that of the other 2 species of Leishmania.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Leishmania species causing the new world cutaneous and mucocutane-
ous leishmaniasis is similar to that of L. donovani. The infection is transmitted to human