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Leishmaniasis

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Neglected Tropical Diseases - North America

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Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a protozoan zoonotic disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania with more than 24 species implicated in human disease. Leishmania spp. are transmitted by the Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia species of sand fly. Rates of leishmaniasis are increasing around the world, including in the United States. More recently leishmaniasis has been noted in the Southern United States, primarily in Texas with case reports of autochthonous transmission. Leishmaniasis has a varied clinical presentation ranging from localized cutaneous disease, mucocutaneous disease, to disseminated visceral disease. Treatment for leishmaniasis is complex and depends on the region of the world, the Leishmania spp. as well as the disease presentation. Vaccine development is critical for control and prevention efforts.

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Correspondence to Laila Woc-Colburn .

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Bhamidipati, D., Woc-Colburn, L. (2021). Leishmaniasis. In: Weatherhead, J.E. (eds) Neglected Tropical Diseases - North America. Neglected Tropical Diseases. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-63384-4_7

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