Leishmaniasis in Europe and the Mediterranean Region
A special issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease (ISSN 2414-6366).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 968
Special Issue Editors
2. CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
Interests: leishmaniasis; neglected tropical diseases; imported infectious diseases; migrants’ health; malaria; immunosupression
2. CIBERINFEC, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
Interests: leishmaniasis; neglected tropical diseases; malaria; immunosupression; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Leishmaniasis, a vector-borne parasitic disease caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, remains a significant global health challenge, particularly in endemic regions such as South America, Africa, and the Indian subcontinent. However, the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Europe and the Mediterranean region has attracted mounting attention due to several factors. These include the under-reporting of cases, non-HIV immunosuppression, and the potential impact of climate change on the distribution of vector species.
Although considered a neglected disease, leishmaniasis is a growing public health problem in Europe. Under-reporting remains a major problem, hampering accurate assessment of the disease burden. In addition, the increasing prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in immunosuppressed patients—such as those receiving immunomodulatory therapies—highlights the need for better diagnostic and management strategies. Recent research efforts have focused on identifying reliable immunological markers in the cure of VL, which could improve patient monitoring and treatment outcomes.
Climate change is another pressing factor, as rising temperatures may facilitate the northward expansion of Phlebotomus sandfly vectors, increasing the risk of autochthonous transmission in previously non-endemic areas of northern Europe. In addition, imported cases due to travel and migration highlight the need for increased awareness and preparedness among healthcare professionals.
Addressing these challenges requires a One Health approach that integrates human, animal, and environmental health perspectives. There is an urgent need for improving the training of health workers, increasing public awareness, and developing novel therapeutic strategies. This Special Issue of Tropical Medicine and Infectious Diseases seeks high quality papers on epidemiological trends, clinical management, novel diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and policy recommendations for the control of leishmaniasis in Europe and the Mediterranean. We invite researchers and clinicians to submit their work contributing to the advancement of knowledge and providing solutions for this evolving public health threat.
Dr. Begoña Monge-Maillo
Dr. Juan Víctor San Martín-López
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- visceral leishmaniasis
- cutaneous leishmaniasis
- mucocutaneous leishmaniasis
- Leishmania infantum
- Leishmania major
- Leishmania tropica
- imported leishmaniasis
- immunosupression
- one health
- climate change
- biomarkers
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