NEGLECTED THREATING HUMAN LEISHMANIASIS: A BRIEF REVIEW

Abstract

Leishmaniases are a group of heterogeneous vector-borne diseases caused by obligate intracellularflagellated protozoans of genus Leishmania. At least 21 species have been proven to bepathogenic to humans. The principal mode of transmission of leishmaniasis is by the bite of aninfected female sand-fly. Leishmania infections have six clinical forms, defined by the locationof the parasite in the infected tissues: visceral (VL), post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis(PKDL), cutaneous (CL), diffuse cutaneous (DCL), mucocutaneous (MCL) and mucosal (ML)leishmaniasis. The clinical outcomes of leishmaniais dep- end on factors inherent to the parasite,the vector, and the host. Leishmaniasis is emerging and threatens to become an uncontrollabledisease. Most patients live in low-to-middle income countries where governments are faced withlimited healthcare budgets and other ailments such as malaria, tuberculosis, and HIV. As a result,little research is dedicated to the diagnosis, management, and control of leishmaniasis. Thisbrief review focuses on recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment strategies of leishmaniasiscaused by both Old and New World Leishmania species.