Leishmaniasis In The Americas

Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by kinetoplastid protozoan parasites belonging to the Leishmania genus. Infection causes a wide diversity of clinical manifestations, ranging in severity from asymptomatic infections, self-healing cutaneous lesions (cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)), mucocutaneous lesions (mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL)), diffuse leishmaniasis, and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) which can be lethal when untreated. Leishmania parasites are transmitted to vertebrate hosts through the bite of female sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia in the New World. We review here some of the key aspects of leishmaniasis in Latin America and highlight some of the specificities of the disease in the American continent. The diversity of vector and parasite species poses additional challenges compared to the situation in the Old World. Indeed, this diversity implies that most tools for disease surveillance and control, including diagnostics, vector control interventions, therapeutic treatments, and vaccines, need to be adapted to ensure their efficacy. Further research is thus needed to optimize leishmaniasis control and surveillance in the Americas.