Determinants for the Development of Visceral Leishmaniasis Disease

• Published in: PLoS pathogens Vol. 9; no. 1; p. e1003053
• Main Authors: McCall, Laura-Isobel, Zhang, Wen-Wei, Matlashewski, Greg
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 01.01.2013; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Animal models; Animals; Development and progression; Disease Vectors; Genetic aspects; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Infections; Insect bites; Kala-azar; Leishmania donovani - genetics; Leishmania donovani - immunology; Leishmania donovani - pathogenicity; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - immunology; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - parasitology; Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous - pathology; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - immunology; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - parasitology; Leishmaniasis, Visceral - pathology; Macrophages - parasitology; Medical research; Medicine; Neglected Diseases; Parasites; Physiological aspects; Proteins; Psychodidae - parasitology; Review; Rodents; Tropical diseases; Vector-borne diseases; Viral genetics; Virulence (Microbiology); Canada
• ISSN: 1553-7374; 1553-7366; 1553-7374
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1003053

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne neglected tropical disease associated with a spectrum of clinical manifestations, ranging from self-healing cutaneous lesions to fatal visceral infections. Among the most important questions in Leishmania research is why some species like L. donovani infect visceral organs, whereas other species like L. major remain in the skin. The determinants of visceral leishmaniasis are still poorly understood, although genomic, immunologic, and animal models are beginning to provide important insight into this disease. In this review, we discuss the vector, host, and pathogen factors that mediate the development of visceral leishmaniasis. We examine the progression of the parasite from the initial site of sand fly bite to the visceral organs and its ability to survive there. The identification of visceral disease determinants is required to understand disease evolution, to understand visceral organ survival mechanisms, and potentially to develop better interventions for this largely neglected disease.