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The current status of zoonotic leishmaniases and approaches to disease control

Marina Gramiccia1, Luigi Gradoni

  • 1Dipartimento di Malattie Infettive, Parassitarie e Immunomediate, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Viale Regina Elena 299, 00161 Roma, Italy. gramicci@iss.it

International Journal for Parasitology
|September 16, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Leishmaniases, caused by Leishmania parasites, are spreading globally with changing risk factors. Control strategies for zoonotic leishmaniasis, particularly canine reservoir management, show promising results.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Epidemiology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by Leishmania protozoan parasites, with 13 of 15 known species being zoonotic.
  • These diseases manifest in visceral, cutaneous, and mucocutaneous forms, affecting both the Old and New Worlds.
  • Global incidence and geographic distribution of leishmaniases are increasing due to environmental, demographic, and behavioral factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current landscape of leishmaniases, focusing on changing epidemiological patterns and control strategies.
  • To highlight advancements in the control of zoonotic leishmaniasis, particularly concerning the canine reservoir of Leishmania infantum.
  • To assess the efficacy of newly developed tools for managing canine leishmaniasis.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current literature on leishmaniasis epidemiology and control.
  • Analysis of environmental, demographic, and behavioral factors influencing disease spread.
  • Evaluation of existing and emerging tools for canine reservoir control, including vaccines and insecticide-based preparations.

Main Results:

  • Leishmaniases exhibit expanding geographic ranges and altered risk factors, including northward spread of Leishmania infantum.
  • HIV-Leishmania co-infections have declined in Southern Europe due to antiretroviral therapy.
  • Canine vaccine candidates (e.g., FML-based) and insecticide treatments show improved efficacy in protecting dogs against sand fly bites.

Conclusions:

  • Leishmaniasis control requires addressing evolving epidemiological scenarios and effective management of the zoonotic reservoir.
  • Vaccines and insecticide-based preparations offer viable strategies for controlling canine Leishmania infantum infections.
  • Continued research and implementation of integrated control measures are crucial for combating global leishmaniasis.

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