A current perspective on leishmaniasis

Abstract

There are many challenges facing the successful control and eradication of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is still endemic in many poverty stricken and war torn areas. Through the use of an extensive literature review, this article examined the global disease burden of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. Surveillance and control measures for leishmaniasis being used by the World Health Organization were also discussed in this article. Finally, potential new treatments and possible vaccines for leishmaniasis were reviewed in this article.

An NLRP3 inflammasome–triggered Th2-biased adaptive immune response promotes leishmaniasis

“…Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis are the 2 prevalent forms of the disease (34,35). Despite substantial efforts, the immunobiology of leishmaniasis is not well understood.…”

Revisiting leishmaniasis in the time of war: the Syrian conflict and the Lebanese outbreak

“…The most severe and potentially fatal form is visceral leishmaniasis (VL), which affects internal organs including the bone marrow, liver, and spleen, and may exhibit a latent form reviving during states of immunodeficiency. 1,3,4 No vaccine is available for Leishmania and the only preventative method is to limit exposure to the vector through vector control, insect repellents, insecticide-impregnated bed nets, and other modalities. The traditional approach to the treatment of leishmaniasis includes amphotericin B or its lipid formulations for visceral International Journal of Infectious Diseases 29 (2014) 115-119 forms, and sodium stibogluconate for cutaneous forms; however, several other treatment modalities have been proposed.…”

Telehealth: a perspective approach for visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) control in India

“…18 In India, VL is transmitted mainly in rural areas and the transmission is going on unabatedly (e.g. shimming transmission).…”