Visceral leishmaniasis with special reference to Egypt (review and comment)

The leishmaniases comprise several diseases of wide diversity of manifestations caused by different species of the genus Leishmania. They are grouped under three main headings: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Leishmania donovani complex which visceralize in man with a predilection for infecting cells in the viscera, particularly in the spleen and the main vectors are Phlebotomus of the "major" group. These include L.d. donovani (Asia, mainly India and China), Ld. infantum (Mediterranean countries) infects mainly children and L.d. chagasi (South America) infects adults and children. In this paper, the historical background of L. donovani and L. infantum with special reference to Egypt is given. Not all the previous references were included, but many of them were cited. Comment was given whenever indicated.