Open AccessImmune response to leishmania: paradox rather than paradigm
Author(s) -
Tripathi Parul,
Singh Vinod,
Naik Sita
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
fems immunology & medical microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1574-695X
pISSN - 0928-8244
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-695x.2007.00311.x
Subject(s) - miltefosine , leishmaniasis , visceral leishmaniasis , coinfection , leishmania , biology , vector (molecular biology) , immunology , immune system , indian subcontinent , neglected tropical diseases , disease , tropical disease , parasitic disease , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , medicine , parasite hosting , history , biochemistry , ancient history , world wide web , computer science , gene , recombinant dna
The leishmaniases are a group of diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania . Various Leishmania species can cause human infection, producing a spectrum of clinical manifestations. It is estimated that 350 million people are at risk, with a global yearly incidence of 1–1.5 million for cutaneous and 500 000 for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). VL is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in East Africa and the Indian subcontinent. Coinfection with HIV enhances the risk of the disease. The only control measure currently available in India is case detection and treatment with antimonial drugs, which are expensive, not always available and cannot be self‐administered. Newer drugs like oral miltefosine have not become widely available. Vector and reservoir control is difficult due to the elusive nature of the vector and the diversity of the animal reservoir. A detailed knowledge of immune response to the parasite would help in designing prophylactic and therapeutic strategies against this infection.