Leishmania braziliensis

Leishmania braziliensis is a Leishmania species. It is associated with leishmaniasis. Within a few months of infection, an ulcer forms. After healing there is an asymptomatic phase for three to twenty years. At this time, the parasite causes oral and nasal lesions causing severe damage to the mucus membranes. Pentostam, Liposomal and lipid complex preparations of Amphotericin B, or paromomycin can be given. Leishmania braziliensis, like other species of Leishmania rely on asexual reproduction in the intermediate mammalian host to greatly increase population density. Such reproduction is often witnessed in mononuclear phagocytes (dendritic cells, monocytes, neutrophils) of the mammalian host, with the macrophages being the target white blood cell of the parasite. Recently, it has been hypothesized through two studies that certain members of Leishmania genus (e.g. L. braziliensis) are capable of sexual reproduction in the gut of the sand-fly vector. More work is needed to establish a clear pattern of sexual reproduction in the genus. Alcazar, Wilmer; Silva-Lopez, Adrian; Alakurtti, Sami; Tuononen, Maija-Liisa; Yli-Kauhaluoma, Jari; Ponte-Sucre, Alicia (1 November 2014). 'Betulin derivatives impair Leishmania braziliensis viability and host-parasite interaction'. Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. 22 (21): 6220–6226. doi:10.1016/j.bmc.2014.08.023. PMID 25240731.