Editorial: Diagnosis and Treatment of Leishmaniasis Remain a Big Challenge

Leishmaniasis, caused by protozoan Leishmania parasites and transmitted via infected female sand flies and possible reservoir hosts, like dogs, is endemic in 88 countries and 350 million people are at risk of contracting the disease. Leishmaniasis prevalence is 12 million cases/year and the incidence is 2.5 million cases/year. The estimated disease burden is 2.4 million DALYs. Leishmaniasis is a category 1 disease (“emerging or uncontrolled diseases”). The World Health Organization has acknowledged it as a severely neglected disease and urged intensified research programmes to improve vector control, diagnostics and therapeutic arsenal to contain further incidence and morbidity.