Author/Authors :
SERGIEV, Vladimir Dept. of Tropical Medicine and Parasitic Diseases - Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , KONDRASHIN, Anatoly Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , LITVINOV, Sergei Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , MOROZOVA, Lola Dept. of Tropical Medicine and Parasitic Diseases - Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , TURBABINA, Natalia Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , STEPANOVA, Ekaterina Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , MAKSIMOVA, Maria Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , SHEVCHENKO, Sergei Institute of Medical Parasitology, Tropical and Vector-Borne Diseases, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia , MOROZOV, Evgeny Dept. of Tropical Medicine and Parasitic Diseases - Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
Abstract :
Background: All types of the Old World’s leishmaniasis were endemic on the territory
of the South regions of ex-USSR. Epidemiological situation was well under control
during the USSR era, due to implementation of complex anti-leismaniasis measures.
These interventions were dramatically stopped as a result of the collapse of the USSR.
Methods: Most relevant publications on epidemiology and control of leishmaniases in
the Republics of Central Asia and Transcaucasia of the ex-USSR were screened.
Results: Within the endemic area, the foci of different kinds of leishmaniasis are often
overlapped thus calling for deployment of integrated measures. The anthroponotic cutaneous
leishmaniasis (ACL) was reported in settlements and towns of Central Asia and
Transcaucasia of the ex-USSR. The natural foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis were widespread
in the desert of Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The
northern boundary of the zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) area coincided with
the northern boundary of the distribution of great gerbils – the main reservoir of this
infection in the ex-USSR. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) occurred in the Central Asian
Republics and in the republics of the Transcaucasia. Holistic approach was adopted by
the programs targeting the source of infection, vector(s) and man.
Conclusion: The presence rise in the number of cases of different types of leishmaniasis
in the ex-USSR strongly necessitates that health authorities should consider these
diseases as an important public health problem. The immediate task would be rebuilding
a comprehensive surveillance system consisting of active and passive case detection
mechanism along with immediate treatment of the patients.
