Which one of the following statements is most relevant to leishmaniasis?
Which one of the following statements is most relevant to leishmaniasis?
Select an option to attempt
Correct Answer: Option B
Explanation
Transmission vector for Leishmaniasis:Leishmaniasis (caused by Leishmania protozoa) is transmitted by the bite of SANDFLIES:• Old World: Phlebotomus species (Mediterranean, Middle East, Asia, Africa)• New World: Lutzomyia species (Latin America)Forms of leishmaniasis:• Visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar): caused by L. donovani; affects liver, spleen, bone marrow.• Cutaneous leishmaniasis: caused by L. major, L. tropica; skin ulcers.• Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis: caused by L. braziliensis.Key: BOTH visceral and cutaneous forms are transmitted by the SAME vector (female sandfly), NOT by Anopheles mosquitoes (which transmit malaria) or Aedes (dengue) or Culex (West Nile).Answer: Female sandflies (Phlebotomus/Lutzomyia) transmit both forms of leishmaniasis.