leishmania

noun

leish·​man·​ia lēsh-ˈma-nē-ə 

plural leishmanias or leishmania

: any of a genus (Leishmania) of parasitic, flagellate protozoans that cause leishmaniasis, are transmitted by the bite of sand flies (genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia), and occur in an motile, extracellular form within the gut of sand flies and a nonmotile, intracellular form within the macrophages of mammalian hosts

broadly : a protozoan resembling the leishmanias that is included in the family (Trypanosomatidae) to which they belong

leishmanial

lēsh-ˈma-nē-əl 

adjective

leishmanial parasites

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Sir W. B. Leishman †1926 British medical officer

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

leishmania

noun

leish·​man·​ia lēsh-ˈman-ē-ə  -ˈmān- 

1

Leishmania : a genus of parasitic, flagellate protozoans of the family Trypanosomatidae that are the causative agents of leishmaniasis, are transmitted by sand flies (genera Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia), and occur as motile, extracellular promastigotes within the gut of sand flies and transform into nonmotile, intracellular amastigotes within the macrophages of mammalian hosts

2

plural leishmanias or leishmaniae : any protozoan of the genus Leishmania

broadly : any protozoan of the family Trypanosomatidae having the typical intracellular form of a leishmania

leishmanial

-ē-əl 

adjective

leishmanial parasites

leishmanial infection