Leishmania and Trypanosoma

Abstract

Leishmania spp. and Trypanosoma spp. belong to the Trypanosomatida in the eukaryote supergroup Excavata. Although microcopy techniques cannot be used to identify Leishmania spp. to the species level, the microscopic detection of Leishmania amastigotes in clinical specimens continues to be invaluable. Serologic tests including indirect fluorescent‐antibody testing, enzyme‐linked immunoassays, and immunoblot tests may give mixed results when applied to the diagnosis of leishmaniasis. The likelihood of a positive skin test increases with parasite burden and the time the patient has been infected with Leishmania parasites. Although vectorial transmission is considered the most important mode of transmission, leishmaniasis can also be transmitted by direct contact with an infected lesion or mechanically through bites by stable flies/dog flies. Molecular techniques for the detection of leishmanial nucleic acid have been used for diagnosis, predicting prognosis, and species identification.