Chagas Disease and Leishmaniasis: Immunological Advances, Vaccines, and Innovative Therapeutic Strategies

Dear Colleagues,

Chagas disease and leishmaniasis are two of the most prevalent protozoan neglected tropical diseases in Latin America and beyond, imposing a heavy public health and socio-economic burden. Despite decades of research, effective vaccines remain unavailable, and therapeutic options are limited by toxicity, prolonged regimens, and high rates of treatment failure. In addition, the growing resistance of protozoan parasites to conventional drugs mirrors the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance, highlighting the urgent need for innovative strategies that expand both preventive and therapeutic options.

This Special Issue will bring together advances in immunology and vaccine development, alongside novel therapeutic approaches, to address these unmet challenges regarding Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. We invite contributions that explore vaccine antigens, adjuvants, delivery systems, and immunomodulatory strategies, with a particular focus on approaches that enhance protective immunity and long-term efficacy. Beyond prevention, this Special Issue also welcomes contributions exploring immunologically guided therapies, novel drugs, or repurposed compounds with antiparasitic potential, and synergistic treatment combinations designed to enhance efficacy while minimizing toxicity and resistance. Contributions addressing beneficial microorganisms—whether live, inactivated, or derived from their structural components or metabolites—with a primary emphasis on preclinical research that bridges molecular insights with translational applications are particularly encouraged. Studies investigating molecular targets, host–parasite interactions, and omics-driven approaches are also welcome, given their emerging role in modulating immune responses and improving therapeutic outcomes.

By integrating immunological advances, vaccine innovation, therapeutic design, and microbial interventions, this Special Issue seeks to provide a comprehensive platform for researchers to share discoveries that will shape the next generation of preventive and therapeutic strategies against Chagas disease and leishmaniasis.

Dr. Leonardo Acuña
Guest Editor

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