Leishmaniasis
Leishmaniasis is caused by infection by a protozoan parasite which is spread by the bite of a sand fly. The spread can be from animal to man or person-to-person, and resulting disease can affect either the skin - causing cutaneous leishmaniasis - or the internal organs, causing visceral leishmaniasis, also called Kala - Azar. Many millions of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis occur in tropical countries every year: the ulcers that it causes usually heal over a number of months without treatment. Widespread disease may need treatment with agents containing antimony. Visceral leishmaniasis is less common: after many months incubation there is fever, muscle wasting, and massive enlargement of the liver and spleen. Visceral leishmaniasis or kala-azar needs treatment. Avoid sand flies.
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