Possible Diagnostic Improvement for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Is It Achievable?

The parasite, Leishmania, is the causative agent of the disease leishmaniasis and is highly endemic in 98 countries spread across the tropics, subtropics and Mediterranean Basin. It is a vector-borne disease transmitted by the bite of infected sand flies, and it appears in three clinical manifestations namely: cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. It is known that at least 21 species are pathogenic to humans. To control the disease, there is no human vaccine, and the sole approach is through chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the available anti-leishmanial drugs are problematic due to their high toxicity, as well as increased parasite resistance. Therefore, making accurate diagnostic decisions for clinical treatment is highly important.