Taxonomy
Leishmania are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites. It infects an invertebrate vector and diverse vertebrate hosts (Even you!). There are up to 22 different species of Leishmania, but all species are morphologically identical. Techniques such as RFLP, PCR with a variety of different primers and monoclonal antibody typing allows scentists to differentiate one from another. The two most associated to visceral leishmaniasis are L. donovani and L. infantum.
More on Leishmaniasis
The Life Cycle
The Life Cycle (Part 2)
Leishmanisis Distribution and Vector
The effects of Leishmanisis (WARNING: Pictures are not easy on the eyes)
The effects of Leishmanisis (Part 2 WARNING: Pictures are not easy on the eyes)
For more information, here are some websites.
