The Epidemiology And Ecology Of Leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne, parasitic disease with tremendous variety in presentation, biology, and epidemiology. Any book on this disease must acknowledge the nearly impossible task of providing an exhaustive account of leishmaniasis simply because the epidemiology of the disease is so very complex. This book addresses some of this variety with chapters on the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in North Africa, Central America, and South America. The purpose of the book is not to specifically address diagnosis and treatment of the disease, but rather to provide a sample of the differing epidemiologies of leishmaniasis that occur due to variations in local habitats; the presence of different vectors, reservoirs, and agents; and the wide variety of cultures in which this disease occurs.

Leishmaniasis is the third most important vector-borne disease after malaria and lymphatic filariasis. It is common disease in all over the world. The vector for leishmaniasis is Phlebotomus and there have found around 20 different types of this vector. There are different clinical forms under the name of leishmaniasis such as kala-azar, dum-dum fever, white leprosy, espundia, pian bois, chiclero,Äôs ulcer, uta. Environmental factors leading to climate changes and global warming are major risk factors for the spreading of the disease. Leishmania spp. to prevent the spread of the definitive host and intermediate hosts is difficult compared to Plasmodium spp. Therefore; leishmaniasis disease will retain its importance for many years.

Leishmania parasites cause a diverse group of diseases endemic to many tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This volume seeks to bring together recent research on cell and molecular biology of Leishmania with chapters on the host response to infection, the current epidemiology of leishmaniasis, explanations of the many different species, vector control, and strategies for vaccine development and drug treatment. Leishmania, volume four of World Class Parasites, is written for researchers, students and scholars who enjoy reading research that has a major impact on human health, or agricultural productivity, and against which we have no satisfactory defense. It is intended to supplement more formal texts that cover taxonomy, life cycles, morphology, vector distribution, symptoms and treatment. It integrates vector, pathogen and host biology and celebrates the diversity of approach that comprises modern parasitological research.

Of all the parasitic diseases, leishmaniasis is one of the most diverse, with a variety of manifestations, from relatively minor cutaneous lesions to deadly visceral infections. It is also widespread, causing human disease in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Africa. The environments in which this disease occurs range from desert to tropical jungle to urban habitats. Not surprisingly, the literature on this disease is written in a variety of languages including Portuguese, Arabic, English and French among others. This book provides a synopsis in English of much of the recent research on leishmaniasis, with a focus on the epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment of the disease as described by researchers around the world, but with a focus on the research from Brazil and the Middle East.

"Infectious diseases have comprised an increasingly influential role in the morbidity and mortality of humans during the last several decades. Since the 1970s, there has been a resurgence of many vector-borne diseases including malaria, yellow fever, West Nile virus, and Leishmaniasis. The combination of disease ecology and epidemiology can create a better understanding of how humans and their environment affects the manner in which they come into contact and interact with the vector. It also allows better identification and targeting of the weak links in disease transmission for controlling the disease. In the Palestinian West Bank, leishmaniasis is emerging as a serious public health issue as its incidence continues to increase over time, especially in the western and the northern parts. This study was initiated to improve our understanding of the ecological, epidemiological, and transmission dynamics of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania tropica in the West Bank. It aims to: (I) evaluate the effect of altitude on sand fly density within and between three villages in the Bethlehem District, (II) carry out risk assessment case-control epidemiological studies of Leishmania tropica based on questionnaires administrated in the endemic area of the Tubas District, and (III) to evaluate the effect of distance from hyrax Procavia capensis (the reservoir hosts) colonies on Phlebotomus sergenti (the vector sand fly species) densities within an urban landscape and between the urbanized area and adjacent hyrax colonies." -- from the abstract.

Tropical diseases are not merely a group of nosologic diseases indigenous to the intertropical zone. Many are diseases of poor public health originating from poverty, ignorance, and population upheaval. Tropical dermatoses represent a public health problem in 127 countries with a population of 3 billion people who do not have access to health care.

Neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) is a diverse group of communicable diseases that prevail in tropical and subtropical conditions in 149 countries. NTDs affect more than one billion people and cost developing economies billions of dollars every year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NTDs mainly affect populations living in poverty, without adequate sanitation, and in close contact with infectious vectors, domestic animals, and livestock. Migration, as well as climate change and variability, are key factors in NTD prevalence. Therefore, NTDs deserve more study. Recently, viruses transmitted by vectors (arboviruses) that affect not only people living in the tropics, but also travelers and migrating populations, have been causing epidemics. Examples of these viruses include Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, Mayaro, and encephalitis viruses. These viruses emerge and reemerge in multiple regions of the world, as occurred in the Americas recently (2013-2017) with Chikungunya and Zika. This book aims to update the significant epidemiological and clinical research of NTDs in many aspects with a multinational perspective.