Leishmaniasis in children
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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Leishmaniasis in children - acute and chronic protozoal disease of man and animals, caused by parasites from the class flagellates - leishmania, transmitted by bloodsucking insects - mosquitoes.
ICD-10 code
- 855.0 Visceral leishmaniasis.
- 855.1 Cutaneous leishmaniasis.
- 855.2 Skin and mucous leishmaniasis
- B55.9 Leishmaniasis, unspecified.
Epidemiology of leishmaniasis in children
Leishmaniasis refers to zoonoses with a natural foci. Foci of the disease are found in countries with tropical climate, as well as in Central Asia, southern Kazakhstan and Transcaucasia.
The source of infection are dogs, jackals, rodents, foxes and other animals, as well as a person with leishmaniasis. Transmission of infection is carried out by mosquitoes. Infection occurs at the time of the bite.
Susceptibility to visceral and skin leishmaniasis is very high. In endemic foci, a large part of the population is ill at preschool age and acquires persistent immunity. Repeated diseases are rare.
The causes of leishmaniasis in children
Pathogens belong to the type of protozoa, the class of flagellates, the family of trypanosomides and the genus Leishmanias. In the human body and in animals, they are located intracellularly, in the form of immovable oval or round forms (amastigots) with dimensions (2-6) x (2-3) μm, while in the mosquito carrier and in cultures lanceolate mobile forms (promastigots) (10-20) × (5-6) μm with a long flagellum (10-15 μm).
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