Which Leishmania species are associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Americas?

Which Leishmania species are associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Americas?

• A. L. major
• B. L. mexicana and L. amazonensis
• C. L. donovani
• D. L. infantum

Answer: (B)

Infections with Leishmania produce different disease forms depending on the species and where they occur. In the Americas, the classic cause of localized cutaneous lesions is the New World pair L. mexicana and L. amazonensis. They typically cause skin ulcers at the site of the sandfly bite without systemic illness. Other species listed target different disease patterns: L. donovani and L. infantum are famous for visceral leishmaniasis, affecting internal organs, and L. major is an Old World species not associated with American cutaneous disease. So, L. mexicana and L. amazonensis best explain cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Americas.

Infections with Leishmania produce different disease forms depending on the species and where they occur. In the Americas, the classic cause of localized cutaneous lesions is the New World pair L. mexicana and L. amazonensis. They typically cause skin ulcers at the site of the sandfly bite without systemic illness. Other species listed target different disease patterns: L. donovani and L. infantum are famous for visceral leishmaniasis, affecting internal organs, and L. major is an Old World species not associated with American cutaneous disease. So, L. mexicana and L. amazonensis best explain cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Americas.