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Leishmaniasis: where are we and where are we heading?

  • Protozoology - Review
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Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease in humans caused by the bite of a parasite-infected sandfly. The disease, widely referred to as “poor man’s disease,” affects millions of people worldwide. The clinical manifestation of the disease depends upon the species of the parasite and ranges from physical disfigurement to death if left untreated. Here, we review the past, present, and future of leishmaniasis in detail. The life cycle of Leishmania sp., along with its epidemiology, is discussed, and in addition, the line of therapeutics available for treatment currently is examined. The current status of the disease is critically evaluated, keeping emerging threats like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) coinfection and post kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) into consideration. In summary, the review proposes a dire need for new therapeutics and reassessment of the measures and policies concerning emerging threats. New strategies are essential to achieve the goal of leishmaniasis eradication in the next few decades.

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Acknowledgements

The author SS acknowledges research fellowship from NIT Warangal.

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Research funding by the Science and Engineering Research Board, DST, Government of India (Grant Number: EEQ/2018/000484), is acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Biotechnology, National Institute of Technology, Warangal, Telangana, 506004, India

    Santanu Sasidharan & Prakash Saudagar

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  1. Santanu Sasidharan
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Sasidharan, S., Saudagar, P. Leishmaniasis: where are we and where are we heading?. Parasitol Res 120, 1541–1554 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07139-2

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