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https://www.arca.fiocruz.br/handle/icict/26424
LEISHMANIA ENRIETTII (MUNIZ & MEDINA, 1948): A HIGHLY DIVERSE PARASITE IS HERE TO STAY.
Leishmaniasis
Guinea pigs
Parasitic diseases
Sand flies
Veterinary epidemiology
Veterinary parasitolog
Author
Affilliation
Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Diadema, SP, Brazil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal de São Paulo. Diadema, SP, Brazil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Universidade Federal Minas Gerais. Departamento de Parasitologia. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto René Rachou. Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Abstract
Leishmaniases are a spectrum of diseases caused by protozoans from the genus Leishmania(Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and are divided into 2 main clinical forms: tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Transmission occurs after the bite of sandfly vectors (Diptera: Phlebotominae) when females take a blood meal from the vertebrate host [1].
In the New World, several species of Leishmania (~20) cause disease to man, the symptoms and epidemiology of which vary depending on species. However, there are species that are nonpathogenic to humans, such as L. enriettii. In 1946, Medina observed ear lesions in 2 farm-reared guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus [Rodentia: Cavida]) from the neighboring state of São Paulo. After lesion analysis, Leishmania was confirmed as the pathogen. The complete L. enriettii description was published by Muniz and Medina in 1948 at the Federal University of Paraná, Brazil [2]. Although this species has been used as a model for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), many aspects of its biology remain unknown. In the past 6 years, an increased interest has emerged after the finding of a similar isolate in the red kangaroo (Macrofus rufus) in Australia [3]. This article aims to summarize some of the most important publications on this unique pathogen. It demonstrates a high phenotypic plasticity, being able to infect different vertebrate hosts and vectors. It also discusses recent human and veterinary infections due to other L. enriettii complex members.
Keywords
LeishmaniaLeishmaniasis
Guinea pigs
Parasitic diseases
Sand flies
Veterinary epidemiology
Veterinary parasitolog
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