LEISHMANIOSE VISCERAL E TEGUMENTAR AMERICANA VISCERAL AND CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS

A leishmaniose e causada por parasitas do genero Leishmania transmitidos por flebotomineos da especie Lutzomyia spp. Existem dois tipos de leishmaniose, a leishmaniose visceral (LV) e a leishmaniose tegumentar americana (LTA). As manifestacoes clinicas juntamente com dados epidemiologicos levantam a suspeita da doenca. O diagnostico definitivo, no entanto, requer a demonstracao do parasita atraves de metodos parasitologicos ou demais metodos. O diagnostico precoce favorece o tratamento e controle da doenca. Medidas profilaticas no entanto, dependem da adocao de estrategias de prevencao individual, bem como a melhoria nas condicoes de vida da populacao. E fundamental um melhor entendimento sobre a doenca para um diagnostico precoce, adocao de medidas de protecao individual e controle da doenca. Leishmaniasis is caused by parasite of the genus Leishmania transmitted by sandflies of Lutzomyia spp species . There are two types of leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Clinical manifestations associated with epidemiological data raise suspicion of the disease. The definitive diagnosis, however, requires the demonstration of the parasite through parasitological methods or other laboratorial methods. Early diagnosis contributes to the treatment and control of the disease. Prophylactic measures, however, depend on the adoption of individual prevention strategies as well as the improvement in the living conditions of the population. A better understanding of the disease is essential for an early diagnosis, adoption of measures of individual protection and control of the disease.