Leishmaniasis: A Review on Parasite, Vector and Reservoir Host

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease affecting millions of people worldwide. The disease is caused by different species of Leishmania, and it is manifested by three major clinical forms namely cutaneous, muco-cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. This review is aimed to address briefly the parasite, the vector and the reservoir aspects in transmission of leishmaniasis in different regions of the world. The complexity of transmission of the disease lays on the complex life cycle of the parasite which involves sand fly vectors and mammalian reservoirs. The transmission can either be zoonotic and/or anthroponotic through the bite of an infected female sand fly. There is uneven global distribution of the disease often because of the various distribution patterns of the parasite, the vector and the reservoir host species. Various sand fly species in the genus Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia are responsible for transmission of leishmaniasis in the old and new worlds. Animal reservoirs are important for maintaining infections in various areas, and hence are important for zoonotic and rural/sylvatic transmission of the disease. A high prevalence of infection has been reported from small to large domestic and wild mammals. Control and elimination of leishmaniasis require detection of human and animal cases, identification of reservoir hosts, and implementation of effective vector control strategies in areas.

Anti-parasitic activity of polyether ionophores

“…Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne infection, which is caused by protozoans of the genus Leishmania [68,69]. The disease occurs worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions, and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected female phlebotomine sandflies, mainly…”

Zoonotic impact and epidemiological changes of leishmaniasis in Ethiopia

“…8(4): 432-440 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 434 species and reservoirs. However, their role in the transmission cycle as a reservoir host and source of infection in human is significantly different with in the country (Lemma, 2008;Argaw et al, 2013;Alemayehu and Alemayehu, 2017). Dogs Dogs are the most important species among domestic animals in the epidemiology of this disease; hence, stray and domestic dogs are potential reservoir hosts for L. donovani in Ethiopia (Dereure et al, 2000;CDC, 2013;Dawit et al, 2013;Leta et al, 2014;Al-Salem et al, 2016).…”

<em>Leishmania</em> Proteomics: An <em>in Silico</em> Perspective

“…Phlebotomus, Sergentomyia are prevalent in the old world and Lutzomyia, Brumptomyia and Warileya in the new world. [20][21][22] Leishmania parasites are only transmitted through Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia genus sandfly vectors. 20…”