Leishmania: Current Biology and Control

Abstract

Every year, with an estimated 1.3 million new cases and more than 20,000 deaths, Leishmaniasis continues to be a menace in countries across the globe. With the absence of an anti-Leishmania vaccine - along with the toxicity of current anti-parasite drugs and coupled with the rapid emergence of drug resistant Leishmania strains - there remains significant challenges for disease control. This has spurred a plethora of research initiatives into parasite biology, parasite-host interaction, mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, drug development, and the molecular mechanism of drug resistance. Insights obtained from various studies are essential for the development of novel anti-Leishmania treatment strategies. In this timely book, respected Leishmania experts distil important current research, highlighting the most insightful discoveries in the field. Topics covered include: modulation of host miRNA heat shock proteins iron in the Leishmania-macrophage interaction oxidative and nitrosative stress response cell death strategies for immune evasion STAT signaling parasite modulation of toll-like receptors in macrophages T cells in Leishmania infection vaccine biology inhibitors of Leishmania DNA topoisomerases mechanism of drug resistance in visceral Leishmaniasis. The book is an essential text for everyone in the Leishmania community and is recommended for researchers working in related fields.