Leishmania brasiliensis
Quick Summary
Leishmania brasiliensis is a species of flagellate protist that causes a form of leishmaniasis in Central and South America. Leishmaniasis is a human protozoal infection transmitted by the bite of sand flies.12
Leishmania parasites exist in two forms: a leishmanial stage that lives and multiplies within the vertebrate host, and a leptomonad stage found in the sand fly's digestive tract. When an infected sand fly bites a human, the leptomonads enter the wound and develop into the leishmanial stage, initiating infection.12
L. brasiliensis typically causes cutaneous leishmaniasis, characterized by skin lesions similar to those caused by other Leishmania species. However, it can also lead to mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, where deeper lesions affect the oral and nasal mucous membranes. This can result in severe destruction of the lips, throat, palate, and larynx.12
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