Leishmania amazonensis

Leishmania amazonensis is a parasite responsible for the disease leishmaniasis. This species has been known to spread by using sandflies as its vector and a vertebrate as its primary host, just like other species of Leishmania.[1] They have also been known to spread throughout the Brazilian Amazon region due to their ecological niches needed for survival and reproduction. However, when the host is infected, the Leishmania can cause 3 different forms of Leishmaniasis. For this species, it has been known to cause cutaneous leishmaniasis and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is commonly characterized with skin lesions, which can appear localized, or throughout the body. While mucocutaneous leishmaniasis is characterized with ulcers around the skin, mouth, and nose. This form of Leishmaniasis has also been known to can spread by metastasis and can be deadly.[2]

Leishmania amazonensis
Scientific classification
Phylum: Euglenozoa
Class: Kinetoplastea
Order: Trypanosomatida
Genus: Leishmania
Species:
L. amazonensis
Binomial name
Leishmania amazonensis
Lainson & Shaw, 1972

References
  1. Prevention, CDC - Centers for Disease Control and. "CDC - Leishmaniasis - Biology".
  2. Prevention, CDC - Centers for Disease Control and. "CDC - Leishmaniasis - Resources for Health Professionals".
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