Leishmania species
(leesh-may-nee-uh)
Basic Diagrams
Key:
A) Nucleus - the main central part that contains the genetic material
B) Kinetoplast - a mass of mitochondrial DNA lying close to the nucleus
C) Flagellum - whip like appendages that are the organelle of locomotion
D) Undulating membrane - a wavy, membranous structure attached to the exterior of the parasite.
A) Nucleus - the main central part that contains the genetic material
B) Kinetoplast - a mass of mitochondrial DNA lying close to the nucleus
C) Flagellum - whip like appendages that are the organelle of locomotion
D) Undulating membrane - a wavy, membranous structure attached to the exterior of the parasite.
* All four species are morphologically the same. The two forms that are seen during an infection and that provide diagnostic confirmation are the amastigote and the promastigote. See below for descriptions.
Amastigote
Promastigote
Leishmania braziliensis
Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis
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Leishmania donovani
Visceral Leishmaniasis
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Leishmania mexicana
New World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
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Leishmania tropica
Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis
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