Species of the genus Leishmania (Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae)
are causative agents of leishmaniasis, a complex disease with variable clinical
spectrum and epidemiological diversity, constituting, in some countries, a serious
public health problem. The origin and evolution of leishmaniasis has been under
discussion regarding some clinical and parasitological aspects. After the
introduction of paleoparasitology, molecular methods and immunodiagnostic techniques
have been applied allowing the recovery of parasite remains, as well as the diagnosis
of past infections in humans and other hosts. The dating of archaeological samples
has allowed the parasitological analysis in time and space. This manuscript presents
the state of the art of leishmaniasis and prospects related to paleoparasitology
studies and their contribution to the evolutionary and phylogenetic clarification of
parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania, and the leishmaniasis
caused by them.