In humans obligatory intracellular parasite with replication in phagosomes of macrophages
Cutaneous form: chronic painless ulcers or nodules, amastigotes in smear
Visceral form: chronic fever, hepatosplenomegaly, pancytopaenia, lethal
Diagnosis of kala azar: amastigotes in bone marrow and other sites
Mucocutaneous: chronic destructive lesions in mouth/nose, frequent clinical diagnosis
Transmission via about 30 species of sandflies
Usually an animal reservoir (especially dogs and rodents)
Sometimes a human reservoir: Indian kala azar and in cutaneous L. tropica
Treatment with various medications, including Glucantime®
