LEISHMANIA DONOVANI Meaning and
Definition
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Leishmania donovani is a species of parasitic protozoa belonging to the Trypanosomatidae family, which is responsible for causing a severe tropical disease known as visceral leishmaniasis. This disease is also referred to as kala-azar. Leishmania donovani primarily affects the internal organs such as the spleen, liver, and bone marrow, leading to various symptoms including fever, fatigue, weight loss, anemia, and enlarged abdomen.
The parasite is primarily transmitted to humans through the bite of infected female sandflies of the genus Phlebotomus or Lutzomyia. Once inside the human body, the infective promastigote stage of the parasite is engulfed by macrophages, a type of immune cell. The ingested parasite then transforms into the amastigote stage, reproducing and causing damage to the host cells.
Leishmania donovani is predominantly found in Indian subcontinent regions such as India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and parts of Sudan and Brazil. It primarily affects individuals with weakened immune systems, such as malnourished children, people living with HIV/AIDS, and those undergoing immunosuppressive treatment.
To diagnose Leishmania donovani infection, various methods are employed including microscopic examination of tissue samples or bone marrow aspirates, serological tests, or molecular techniques.
Treatment of Leishmania donovani infection involves the use of antiparasitic drugs such as sodium stibogluconate, miltefosine, or liposomal amphotericin B. However, drug resistance has been observed in some regions, making treatment challenging.
Efforts are underway to develop new vaccines and improved diagnostic methods for early detection and control of Leishmania donovani infection.
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Leishman-Donovan body; a minute oval or pisiform body in one stage, elongated and flagellated in another, found in the endothelial cells of the capillaries of the liver, spleen, lymphatic glands, bone marrow, and intestinal mucosa, and more rarely in the blood, in cases of kala-azar.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for LEISHMANIA DONOVANI
- keishmania donovani
- peishmania donovani
- oeishmania donovani
- lwishmania donovani
- lsishmania donovani
- ldishmania donovani
- lrishmania donovani
- l4ishmania donovani
- l3ishmania donovani
- leushmania donovani
- lejshmania donovani
- lekshmania donovani
- leoshmania donovani
- le9shmania donovani
- le8shmania donovani
- leiahmania donovani
- leizhmania donovani
- leixhmania donovani
- leidhmania donovani
- leiehmania donovani
Etymology of LEISHMANIA DONOVANI
The word "Leishmania" is derived from the name of the Scottish pathologist Sir William Boog Leishman (1865-1926), who first described the parasites causing the disease known as leishmaniasis. Leishman made significant contributions to the understanding of tropical diseases during his career.
The specific epithet "donovani" is named after Captain Charles Donovan, an Irish military surgeon who worked in India during the early 20th century. Donovan made important contributions to the study of tropical diseases, including his investigations into the parasites responsible for visceral leishmaniasis. As a result, the species causing visceral leishmaniasis was named "Leishmania donovani" in his honor.
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