(mucocutaneous leishmaniasis) n. a disease of the skin and mucous membranes caused by the parasitic protozoan Leishmania braziliensis (see leishmaniasis). Occurring in South and Central America, espundia takes the form of ulcerating lesions on the arms and legs; the infection may also spread to the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth, causing serious destruction of the tissues.
n. a genus of large forest-dwelling rodents, the pacas or spotted cavies, found in South and Central America. In Brazil these animals are a natural reservoir of the parasite Leishmania braziliensis, which causes espundia (see leishmaniasis).... cuniculus
n. a disease, common in the tropics and subtropics, caused by parasitic protozoans of the genus *Leishmania, which are transmitted by the bite of sandflies. There are two principal forms of the disease: visceral leishmaniasis, in which the cells of various internal organs are affected (see kala-azar); and cutaneous leishmaniasis, which affects the tissues of the skin. Cutaneous leishmaniasis itself has several different forms, depending on the region in which it occurs and the species of Leishmania involved. In Asia it is common in the form of *oriental sore. In America there are several forms of leishmaniasis (see chiclero’s ulcer; espundia). Leishmaniasis is treated with drugs containing antimony.... leishmaniasis
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