Role of sand fly saliva in human and experimental leishmaniasis: current insights

Leishmaniases are wide spread diseases transmitted to their vertebrate host by infected sand fly. The saliva from these arthropods contains a vast repertoire of pharmacologically active molecules that hampers the host's haemostatic, inflammatory and immune responses. The early interactions between Leishmania and the host's immune response are closely linked to disease evolution or protection against the protozoan, and the ectoparasite saliva contributes directly to these interactions. Current studies have depicted these features, and these relations are being widely explored. There are concrete indications that the host response against sand fly saliva influences disease outcome in leishmaniasis. Additionally, there are demonstrations that immunization with whole sand fly saliva, or its components, leads to protection against leishmaniasis in different host species. The combination of these evidences opens up optimistic perspectives for improving vaccine development against Leishmania infection.