Q. What is the etiological agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis? How is the disease transmitted and what are its typical manifestations?
The protozoan Leishmania braziliensis is etiological agent of the cutaneous leishmaniasis.
A transmission, like in the visceral form of the disease, is by the bite of the sand fly Lutzomya (named after the Brazilian scientist Adolfo Lutz), the vector host. The Cutaneous leshmaniasis develops in the bite site where the parasite establishes itself. The skin injury has a volcanic crater shape, a reddish injury with elevated borders. From the primary injury the parasites can spread through the blood to affect other areas, mainly the mucosae of the nose, mouth and pharynx, causing facial deformations.