leishmaniasis

[ leesh-muh-nahy-uh-sis, lahysh- ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. any infection caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania.

leishmaniasis

/ -ˌmæn-; ˌliːʃməˈnaɪəsɪs; liːʃˌmeɪnɪˈəʊsɪs /

noun

1. any disease, such as kala-azar, caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania

leishmaniasis

/ lēsh′mə-nī′ə-sĭs /

1. An infection or disease caused by any of the flagellate protozoans of the genus Leishmania, transmitted to humans and animals by bloodsucking sand flies and characterized by skin ulcerations or an acute illness marked by fever, anemia, and enlargement of the liver and spleen.

Word History and Origins

Origin of leishmaniasis¹

First recorded in 1910–15; leishman(ia) + -iasis

Example Sentences

A discovery by Simona Stäger's team could help come up with a treatment to the most serious form of leishmaniasis.

From Science Daily

The most serious form of the disease, known as visceral leishmaniasis, is invariably fatal within 2-years if untreated.

From Science Daily

He was diagnosed with leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that is spread in the bite of a female sand fly and which plagues poor people who work in fields or forests across developing countries.

From New York Times

For the first time, scientists have begun to figure out why the disfiguring skin lesions caused by cutaneous leishmaniasis don't hurt.

From Science Daily

“While most of these infections were in people living in Texas, sand flies that can transmit leishmaniasis are found in many parts of the country and especially in the southern United States,” Kamb said.

From Seattle Times