284 PROTOZOOLOGY 



longitudinal division. Dogs are naturally infected with L. donovani 

 and may be looked upon as reservoir host. Vectors are Phlehotomus 

 argentipes and other species of Phlebotomus. 



L. tropica (Wright). This is the causative organism of the Oriental 

 sore or cutaneous leishmaniasis. It has been reported from Africa 

 (mainly regions bordering the Mediterranean Sea), Europe (Spain 

 Italy, France, and Greece), Asia (Syria, Palestine, Armenia, South- 

 ern Russia, Iraq, Iran, Arabia, Turkestan, India, Indo-China, and 

 China), and Australia (northern Queensland). The organisms are 

 present in the endothelial cells in and around the cutaneous lesions, 

 located on hands, feet, legs, face, etc. 



L. tropica is morphologically indistinguishable from L. donovani, 

 but some believe that it shows a wider range of form and size than 

 the latter. In addition to rounded or ovoid forms, elongate forms are 

 often found, and even leptomonad forms have been reported from 

 the scrapings of lesions. The insect vectors are Phlehotomus papa- 

 tasii (p. 282), P. sergenti and others. Direct transmission through 

 wounds in the skin also takes place. The lesion appears first as a 

 small papula on skin; it increases in size and later becomes ulcerated. 

 Microscopically an infiltration of corium and its papillae by lympho- 

 cytes and macrophages is noticed; in ulcerated lesions leishmania 

 bodies are found in the peripheral zone and below the floor of the 

 ulcers. 



L. brasiliensis Vianna. This organism causes Espundia, Bubos, or 

 South American or naso-oral leishmaniasis, which appears to be 

 confined to South and Central America. It has been reported from 

 Brazil, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Uruguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, 

 Ecuador, Colombia, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico. 



Its morphological characteristics are identical with those of L. 

 tropica, and a number of investigators combine the two species into 

 one. However, L. brasiliensis produces lesions mainly in the mucous 

 membrane of the nose, mouth and pharynx. Vectors appear to be 

 Phlehotomus intermedius and other species of the genus. Direct 

 transmission through wounds is also probable. 



Family 6 Cryptobiidae Poche 



Biflagellate trypanosome-like pro to monads; 1 flagellum free, the 

 other marks outer margin of undulating membrane; blepharoplast 

 an elongated rod-like structure, often referred to as the parabasal 

 body; all parasitic. 



Genus Cryptobia Leidy (Trypanoplasma Laveran and Mesnil). 



