Diagnostic Findings [Last Modified: ]
Leishmaniasis
[Leishmania spp.]
Causal Agent Life Cycle Geographic Distribution Clinical Features Laboratory Diagnosis Treatment

Microscopy

Leishmania tropica amastigote Leishmania tropica amastigote
A B

A, B: Leishmania tropica amastigotes from an impression smear of a biopsy specimen from a skin lesion.  In A, an intact macrophage is practically filled with amastigotes (arrows), several of which have a clearly visible nucleus and kinetoplast; in B, amastigotes are being freed from a rupturing macrophage.  Patient had traveled to Egypt, Africa, and the Middle East.  Based on culture in NNN medium, followed by isoenzyme analysis, the species was L. tropica.

Leishmania amastigotes
C

C: Three Leishmania amastigotes, each with a clearly visible nucleus and kinetoplast, from the same impression smear as in A and B.

Leishmania mexicana in skin
D

D: Leishmania mexicana in a biopsy specimen from a skin lesion stained with hematoxylin and eosin.  The amastigotes are lining the walls of two vacuoles, a typical arrangement.  The species identification was derived from culture followed by isoenzyme analysis.  Infection was acquired in Texas.
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