Which presentation is associated with L. donovani and L. infantum?

Which presentation is associated with L. donovani and L. infantum?

• A. Visceral
• B. Cutaneous
• C. Mucocutaneous
• D. Diffuse

Answer: (A)

Visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum preferentially cause disease in internal organs, invading macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system and giving rise to enlargement of the spleen and liver, fever, weight loss, and bone marrow suppression leading to pancytopenia. This contrasts with cutaneous or mucocutaneous forms caused by other species, which present with skin ulcers or mucosal lesions rather than prominent visceral involvement. So the presentation linked to these species is the systemic, visceral form.

Visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum preferentially cause disease in internal organs, invading macrophages in the reticuloendothelial system and giving rise to enlargement of the spleen and liver, fever, weight loss, and bone marrow suppression leading to pancytopenia. This contrasts with cutaneous or mucocutaneous forms caused by other species, which present with skin ulcers or mucosal lesions rather than prominent visceral involvement. So the presentation linked to these species is the systemic, visceral form.