n :  a protozoan of the genus Leishmania (esp. L. donovani) in its nonmotile stage that is found esp. in cells of the skin, spleen, and liver of individuals affected with leishmaniasis and esp. kala-azar - compare DONOVAN BODY 
 
Leishman, Sir William Boog (1865-1926), British bacteriologist. Leishman is famous for his work on kala-azar and antityphoid inoculation. His researches into tropical diseases began when he was with the British Army Medical Service in India. In 1900 he detected the parasite that causes kala-azar. His discovery was confirmed three years later by Charles Donovan. In that year, 1903, Sir Ronald Ross introduced the term leishmania. Leishman continued to work on kala-azar and other tropical diseases and by 1913 had perfected the protective vaccine against typhoid fever. During World War I he concentrated on the diseases resulting from trench warfare. He also spent much time researching the parasite of tick fever.
 
Donovan, Charles (1863-1951), British surgeon. A surgeon in the Indian Medical Service, Donovan made significant contributions to tropical medicine as a result of his service in India. He is known mainly for his discovery of the causative organism of kala-azar. It was first discovered in 1900 by Sir William Leishman, who tentatively identified it as a trypanosome in 1903. In the same year Donovan independently discovered the same organism. In 1905 he discovered the Donovan body, the causative agent of granuloma inguinale.
 
 
 
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