Pathophysiology of Mediterranean visceral leishmaniasis

Infantile leishmaniasis: The protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania ar e the causal agent of various diseases ranging from cutaneous lesions to fa tal systemic diseases. In southern France, Leishmania infantum is an endemi c species recognized as the causal agent of infantile leishmaniasis (Medite rranean visceral leishmaniasis). little is known about the pathophysiology of the disease in humans, but models in mice may provide a new approach. Insect vector: Leishmania infantum are carried by sand flies. Antigenic mod ifications of the promastigote forms occur in these insects modifying lipop hyosphoglycan (LPG) or glyocprotein gp63, Salivary gland lysates from the s and flies also enhance Leishmania infectivity. Human infestation: In humans, LPC and gp63 play a role in complement fixati on, cell adhesion and resistance to complement-mediated lysis. Macrophage e xpression of class I and II major histocompatibility complex antigens is su ppressed. T cells and interferon gamma are very important keys in the contr ol of the parasite infection.