Nonconventional opponents: a review of malaria and leishmaniasis among United States Armed Forces

Abstract

As the United States military engage with different countries and cultures throughout the world, personnel become exposed to new biospheres as well. There are many infectious pathogens that are not endemic to the US, but two of particular importance are Plasmodium and Leishmania, which respectively cause malaria and leishmaniasis. These parasites are both known to cause significant disease burden in their endemic locales, and thus pose a threat to military travelers. This review introduces readers to basic life cycle and disease mechanisms for each. Local and military epidemiology are described, as are the specific actions taken by the US military for prevention and treatment purposes. Complications of such measures with regard to human health are also discussed, including possible chemical toxicities. Additionally, poor recognition of these diseases upon an individual’s return leading to complications and treatment delays in the United States are examined. Information about canine leishmaniasis, poorly studied relative to its human manifestation, but of importance due to the utilization of dogs in military endeavors is presented. Future implications for the American healthcare system regarding malaria and leishmaniasis are also presented.

Genetic diversity and population structure of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis in the Peruvian jungle

“…braziliensis described in our work will help better understand the evolutionary history of this parasite in Peru [ 9 , 10 , 64 , 65 ]. New epidemiological studies may benefit from the knowledge of the distribution of the leishmaniasis agent [ 66 , 67 ] to develop transmission mitigation strategies between military [ 68 , 69 ] and civilian people in endemic areas of Peru [ 70 , 71 ].…”

Military Dogs and Their Soldier Companions: The More‐than‐human Biopolitics of Leishmaniasis in Conflict‐torn Colombia

“…In addition to the logistical problem that all canine leishmaniasis cases present to army operations, these dogs, as well as those who are asymptomatic, 8 also constitute a challenge in terms of public health. Since they turn out to be potential reservoirs of the disease-animals in which Leishmania parasites live and multiply and can be transmitted to humans and other dogs in the presence of sandflies-all dogs with leishmaniasis are also considered a public health concern (Beiter et al 2019).…”

Imported Cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Cuba, 2017: Role of Human Movement.

“…4 Pathology Department, Institute of Tropical Medicine Pedro Kourí, Havana, Cuba. 5 The countries comprising all the routes followed by each patient before their arrival in Cuba are mentioned.…”

“…The epidemiology of leishmaniasis is dynamic and the circumstances of transmission are continually changing concerning the environment, demography, human behavior, socioeconomic status, and other factors [2]. In line with this, an increase in cases due to migration, traveling, and military con icts have been noti ed around the world in the recent past [3][4][5].…”