Leishmania spp. and Leishmaniasis
A special issue of Pathogens (ISSN 2076-0817). This special issue belongs to the section "Parasitic Pathogens".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2026 | Viewed by 10
Special Issue Editors
Interests: Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania infantum; leishmaniasis; Leishmania spp.
Interests: drug discovery
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Leishmaniasis, caused by the protozoan Leishmania spp., remains one of the most significant neglected tropical diseases, transmitted to humans and other mammals through the bite of infected sandflies. There is no universal consensus on the clinical classification of the disease, which is broadly categorized into two main forms: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL).
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the global burden is alarming: 600,000 to 1 million new CL cases and 50,000 to 90,000 new VL cases occur each year. CL can cause lifelong disfigurement, leading to profound social and psychological impacts, while VL is a potentially fatal systemic disease if left untreated. With no approved human vaccine available, control strategies remain heavily dependent on early diagnosis and effective treatment—both of which face limitations in many endemic regions.
This Special Issue seeks to bring together cutting-edge research and critical reviews that advance our understanding of leishmaniasis. We welcome contributions addressing the following:
- Epidemiology—surveillance, distribution, and risk factors;
- Immunology—host immune responses, pathogenesis, and immune modulation;
- Diagnosis—novel tools, biomarkers, and rapid diagnostic tests;
- Treatment—current therapies, drug resistance, and development of new compounds;
- Control—integrated approaches for prevention and vector management;
- Vaccinology—strategies, platforms, and progress toward human vaccines;
- Host–parasite interactions—mechanisms of infection and transmission between mammals and sandfly vectors.
By consolidating studies from diverse disciplines, this Special Issue aims to choose original articles, reviews, and short communications to foster scientific exchange and contribute to innovative strategies for the control of leishmaniasis.
Dr. Patrícia De Almeida Machado
Dr. Ari Sérgio De Oliveira Lemos
Dr. Juliana Da Trindade Granato
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- Leishmania spp.
- leishmaniasis
- cutaneous leishmaniasis
- visceral leishmaniasis
- sandflies
- epidemiology
- immunology
- vaccinology
- diagnosis
- treatment
- control
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