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Review
. 2017 May 26:6:750.
doi: 10.12688/f1000research.11120.1. eCollection 2017.

Leishmaniasis: a review

Edoardo Torres-Guerrero  1 , Marco Romano Quintanilla-Cedillo  2 , Julieta Ruiz-Esmenjaud  1 , Roberto Arenas  1
Affiliations
Review

Leishmaniasis: a review

Edoardo Torres-Guerrero et al. F1000Res. .

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is caused by an intracellular parasite transmitted to humans by the bite of a sand fly. It is endemic in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Mediterranean region. Worldwide, 1.5 to 2 million new cases occur each year, 350 million are at risk of acquiring the disease, and leishmaniasis causes 70,000 deaths per year. Clinical features depend on the species of Leishmania involved and the immune response of the host. Manifestations range from the localized cutaneous to the visceral form with potentially fatal outcomes. Many drugs are used in its treatment, but the only effective treatment is achieved with current pentavalent antimonials.

Keywords: Leishmania; Leishmaniasis; chicleros ulcer; cutaneous-chondral.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests.No competing interests were disclosed.No competing interests were disclosed.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Rainforests where chewing gum workers and farmers extract sap from Manilkara zapota trees (chewing gum tree).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.. Early ulcer on the forearm with meliceric crust.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.. Ulcer on the upper limb with crusts and raised borders.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.. Atrophic scar on forearm.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.. Atrophic stage of chiclero’s ulcer with deforming scarring of the ear.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.. Chiclero’s ulcer with bleeding bed and periphery covered by fibrin.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.. Diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis (anergic clinical form).
Figure 8.
Figure 8.. Muco-cutaneous leishmaniasis (“Espundia”).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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    2. F1000 Recommendation

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