Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is the second most important protozoal disease of humans (after malaria), with about 10 million cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and 400,000 cases of visceral leishmaniasis each year. Drug-resistant and HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis are increasing in developing countries. After more than 50 years of use, antimonial drugs are becoming obsolete because of better treatment options (liposomal amphotericin B, miltefosine and paromomycin). Highly active antiretroviral treatment has reduced HIV-associated visceral leishmaniasis in Europe. A dipstick test for serodiagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis, based on the rK39 recombinant antigen, is a useful advance.