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Review
. 2021;8(2):121-132.
doi: 10.1007/s40475-021-00232-7. Epub 2021 Mar 17.

A Review of Leishmaniasis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Sarah Mann  1 , Katherine Frasca  1 , Sara Scherrer  1 , Andrés F Henao-Martínez  1 , Sabrina Newman  2 , Poornima Ramanan  1 , José A Suarez  3
Affiliations
Review

A Review of Leishmaniasis: Current Knowledge and Future Directions

Sarah Mann et al. Curr Trop Med Rep. 2021.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The goal of this review is to summarize the current knowledge of the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of cutaneous, mucosal, and visceral leishmaniasis. We will describe the most recent findings and suggest areas of further research in the leishmaniasis field.

Recent findings: This article reviews newer leishmaniasis tests (including rapid diagnostic tests using rK39 antibodies), vaccine candidates, and updated treatment recommendations.

Summary: While leishmaniasis is a complex disease, learning the prominent clinical manifestations and major parasite species can guide the recommendations for diagnosis and treatment.

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Leishmania vaccine; Leishmaniasis; Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis; Visceral leishmaniasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of InterestThe authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Leishmaniasis life cycle. By Dr. José Antonio Suárez Sancho
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Cutaneous leishmaniasis: arm ulcer with typical appearance in a patient with L. panamensis
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Cutaneous leishmaniasis: L arm revealing diffuse CL disease
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Cutaneous leishmaniasis: sporotrichoid appearance of left arm
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Cutaneous leishmaniasis: small satellite lesions outside of the plaque/ulcer on right leg
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in a patient with L. panamensis
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Clinical classification and sample collection for leishmaniasis diagnosis in the Americas. Source: PAHO/WHO, 2018
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Montenegro skin reaction in patient with cutaneous leishmaniasis
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. CDC. Epidemiology and risk factors. [Available from: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/leishmaniasis/epi.html].
    1. WHO. Leishmaniasis [Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/leishmaniasis].
    1. Boelaert M, Sundar S. 47 - Leishmaniasis. In: Farrar J, Hotez PJ, Junghanss T, Kang G, Lalloo D, White NJ, editors. Manson’s Tropical Infectious Diseases (Twenty-third Edition). London: W.B. Saunders; 2014. p. 631-51.e4.
    1. •Organization PAHO. Manual of procedures for leishmaniases surveillance and control in the Americas 2019. [Available from: https://iris.paho.org/handle/10665.2/51838. This article gives a thorough explanation of the clinical symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of leishmaniasis.
    1. WHO. Status of endemicity of cutaneous leishmaniasis data by country [Available from: https://apps.who.int/gho/data/node.main.NTDLEISHCEND?lang=en].

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