leishmaniasis

noun

leish·​man·​i·​a·​sis ˌlēsh-mə-ˈnī-ə-səs 

plural leishmaniases ˌlēsh-mə-ˈnī-ə-ˌsēz 

: a parasitic disease chiefly of tropical and subtropical regions that is caused by a flagellate protozoan (genus Leishmania) which is transmitted by sand flies (genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia) and infects the macrophages of mammalian hosts

Worldwide, the leishmaniases are the third most important vector-borne disease (after malaria and sleeping sickness), accounting for an estimated 1.98 million disability-adjusted life-years and 57,000 deaths annually.

—Richard Reithinger et al.

see also cutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis

Examples of leishmaniasis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team engineered yeast chimeras that had apoptotic enzymes from across the eukaryotic world: from mustard plants, slime molds, humans and the parasite that causes leishmaniasis. —Quanta Magazine, 6 Mar. 2024

Malaria too was likely endemic in ancient Egypt and Nubia, alongside other diseases such as leishmaniasis and schistosomiasis. —Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024

Although leishmaniasis was not originally thought to be endemic to the U.S., a CDC study found 86 participants with leishmaniasis in the U.S. who had not traveled outside of the country. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2023

Many patients who initially respond to treatment remain at risk of their leishmaniasis relapsing. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2023

When infected by Leishmania parasites, sand flies have the ability to transmit various forms of leishmaniasis to humans. —Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 29 Oct. 2023

Though the risk of leishmaniasis in the U.S. is low, people can take measures to avoid getting bitten by sandflies, Kamb said. —Aria Bendix, NBC News, 20 Oct. 2023

While bug sprays that contain DEET can repel sand flies, CNN noted that leishmaniasis treatment for those already bitten involves a month-long course with medications such as amphotericin B. —Brenton Blanchet, Peoplemag, 20 Oct. 2023

However, Cama said the agency has been fielding a growing volume of requests to help with diagnosing leishmaniasis cases. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 19 Oct. 2023

Word History

Etymology

New Latin

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing leishmaniasis

• cutaneous leishmaniasis
• visceral leishmaniasis

Medical Definition

leishmaniasis

noun

leish·​man·​i·​a·​sis ˌlēsh-mə-ˈnī-ə-səs 

plural leishmaniases -ˌsēz 

: a parasitic disease chiefly of tropical and subtropical regions that occurs in cutaneous and systemic forms and is caused by a flagellate protozoan of the genus Leishmania which is transmitted by sand flies (genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia) and infects the macrophages of mammalian hosts

Worldwide, the leishmaniases are the third most important vector-borne disease (after malaria and sleeping sickness), accounting for an estimated 1.98 million disability-adjusted life-years and 57,000 deaths annually.

—Richard Reithinger et al., Emerging Infectious Diseases

Leishmaniasis, caused by various species of Leishmania protozoa, can lethally enlarge the spleen and liver.

—C. Brownlee, Science News

… the sandfly that transmits leishmaniases (a group of parasitic diseases) breeds in piles of refuse or in pit latrines …

—Akin L. Mabogunje, Environment

see also cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis