Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
11:36
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Dorsal Skin of Hamsters: a Useful Model for the Screening of Antileishmanial Drugs
Published on: April 21, 2012
[Cutaneous leishmaniasis]
1Servicio de Dermatología, Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Avda. Barber 30, 45004 Toledo, Spain.
Actas Dermo-Sifiliograficas
|February 16, 2006
Summary
Cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disease caused by Leishmania infantum, is common in Spain. This review covers its significant agents, diagnostic challenges, and treatment limitations.
Area of Science:
- Infectious diseases
- Parasitology
- Dermatology
Context:
- Leishmaniases are protozoan infections caused by Leishmania.
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis, specifically by Leishmania infantum, is prevalent in Spain.
- Diagnosis is challenging due to varied symptoms and difficult parasite culturing.
Purpose:
- To review the most significant agents of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Spain.
- To highlight diagnostic difficulties.
- To discuss the limitations of current therapeutic options.
Summary:
- Leishmaniases are diseases caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania.
- Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum is frequent in Spain.
- Diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis present significant challenges.
Impact:
- Provides an overview of key cutaneous leishmaniasis agents in Spain.
- Underscores the need for improved diagnostic methods.
- Highlights the inadequacy of current treatment strategies, suggesting areas for future research.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is a protozoal disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania and transmitted through the bite of infected female sandflies. The parasite exists in two principal morphological forms during its life cycle. A sandfly acquires intracellular amastigotes from an infected reservoir host, such as a dog. Within the sandfly, these forms differentiate into motile, flagellated promastigotes. During a subsequent blood meal, promastigotes are injected into the human host, where they...
01:21Antiprotozoal Agents
Leishmaniasis is a widespread parasitic disease caused by several Leishmania species. It affects millions of people each year and remains a major public health problem in endemic regions. First-line treatment relies on pentavalent antimonials, including meglumine antimoniate and sodium stibogluconate. Even so, how these drugs work has not been fully clear, especially their interaction with parasite-specific biochemical pathways. One key target is trypanothione reductase (TR), an enzyme that...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:22American Trypanosomiasis
Chagas disease, or American trypanosomiasis, is a vector-borne parasitic infection caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, a flagellated protozoan (kinetoplastid) of the family Trypanosomatidae. The disease is endemic in Latin America, although cases are increasingly reported worldwide due to human migration. Transmission most commonly occurs when feces of infected triatomine bugs contaminate bite wounds or mucosal surfaces; additional routes include congenital, transfusional, transplant-related, and oral...
01:26Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.