Leishmaniases of the New World from a historical and global perspective, from the 1930s to the 1960s

Abstract

The first autochthonous cases of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in the Americas were described in 1909, but visceral leishmaniasis only erupted as a public health problem in the region in 1934. Today Brazil is the country with the most cases of American tegumentary leishmaniasis, and alongside India has the highest incidence of visceral leishmaniasis. Knowledge production and efforts to control these diseases have mobilized health professionals, government agencies and institutions, international agencies, and rural and urban populations. My research addresses the exchange and cooperation networks they established, and uncertainties and controversial aspects when notable changes were made in the approach to the New World leishmaniases.

Análise dos indicadores epidemiológicos e operacionais da leishmaniose tegumentar em Teófilo Otoni – MG

“…A crescente especialização dos profissionais que hoje abordam as leishmanioses e outras doenças negligenciadas parece ser contrabalançada por uma incapacidade de perceber o problema de forma holística, que indique uma percepção acerca dos determinantes sociais e ambientais das leishmanioses e outras doenças endêmicas (Benchimol, 2020).…”

Leishmania spp. in indigenous populations: A mini-review

“…The New World occurrence of L. infantum has generally been associated with the European colonization of the Americas in the late 1400s, with the disease distribution ranging from the southern United States to northern Argentina ( 5 , 13 ). As mentioned earlier, although the first autochthonous cases were reported in 1909, leishmaniasis only became a public health concern in the Americas three decades later ( 9 ).…”

“…Although the first autochthonous cases of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in the Americas were reported in 1909, visceral leishmaniasis only erupted as an American public health concern in 1934 ( 9 ). The first reports of ovoid bodies in a spleen smear were noted in 1900 by the Scottish pathologist William Boog Leishman (source name of genus Leishmania ) while serving the British Army in India ( 6 ).…”

Influence of sex hormones on the immune response to leishmaniasis

“…Both exhibit particularities related to gender and hormonal variations that promote differences in immune response, leading to a predominance of infections in males. [58][59][60][61] Despite these scientific advances, understanding the influence of sex differences on the incidence of leishmaniases is still emerging and the object of constant investigations. However, the literature indicates that the interactions among biological, epidemiological and environmental factors are complex and may determine both the potential for infection and the course and severity of the disease.…”