Biomarkers in Leishmaniasis: From Basic Research to Clinical Application

Abstract

Leishmania is an intracellular protozoan parasite and the etiological agent of a vector-borne disease known as leishmaniasis. This neglected tropical disease exhibits high morbidity and mortality putting at risk people from multiple countries worldwide. It is endemic in 97 countries and 700,000-1 million new cases are estimated to occur each year. Leishmaniasis management is very challenging, the symptoms are non-pathognomonic (in both human and canine populations) and the treatments are associated with significant toxicity. Therefore, the need for detection in symptomatic and asymptomatic hosts is important to tackle the dissemination of infection, increasing the need for highly specific biomarkers. In this complex the available disease biomarkers will be addressed in a retrospective manner, focusing on their development from laboratory to their direct use in clinical settings.

Epidemiology of Leishmaniasis

“…In the Indian subcontinent, Bangladesh, India, and Nepal are the most severely affected and account for 28% of cases, while Brazil contributes 20%. The three eco-epidemiological hotspots where VL has been identified are East Africa, where countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda contribute 45% of global cases (Figure 1 [20] and Table 1 [21][22][23]) [24].…”

“…Leishmaniasis is endemic in several parts of Africa. In North Africa, nations including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt have recorded numerous instances of the disease, with cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis being the most Shows the geographical distribution pattern of leishmaniasis [20].…”