The leishmanias, with special reference to the role of animal reservoirs

Abstract

Six varieties of Leishmaniasis are briefly described, namely, visceral leishmaniasis, oriental sore, Chiclero's ulcer, Panamanian cutaneous leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous leishmaniasis, and Uta. The natural foci of these diseases are described, and the evolution of each infection from its original location in the animal reservoir to total humanisation is followed. In the main, the wild canidae form the reservoir of the visceral diseases, and rodents of the cutaneous form.Many fallacies exist in the interpretation of what constitutes a zoonosis in leishmaniasis, and each situation must be looked at very carefully to ascertain the precise epidemiology. The control measures depend entirely upon a correct assessment of the position. © 1965 by the American Society of Zoologists.