ABSTRACT
Purpose of Review: Leishmaniasis is a leading cause of parasitic death, with incidence rising from decreased resources to administer insecticide and anti-leishmanial treatments due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Leishmaniasis is nonendemic in the United States (U.S.), but enzootic canine populations and potentially competent vectors warrant monitoring of autochthonous disease as a fluctuating climate facilitates vector expansion. Recent studies concerning sand fly distribution and vector capacity were assessed for implications of autochthonous transmission within the U.S. Recent Findings: Climate change and insecticide resistance provide challenges in sand fly control. While most Leishmania-infected dogs in the U.S. were infected via vertical transmission or were imported, autochthonous vector-borne cases were reported. Autochthonous vector-borne human cases have been reported in four states. Further vaccine research could contribute to infection control. Summary: Both cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis cases in the U.S. are increasingly reported. Prevention measures including vector control and responsible animal breeding are critical to halt this zoonotic disease.
ABSTRACT
In this article the author discusses how electrophoresis can aid in the diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases in animals such as feline infectious peritonitis, Leishmania infantum and neoplasms.
ABSTRACT
This article is a 2021 update on the WHO report on the impact of COVID-19 on neglected tropical diseases (NTD) and the response appropriated by the WHO. In January 2021, and after almost 2 years of wide-ranging consultations, WHO launched the new NTD roadmap for 2021-2030 that provides a framework and actions to drive progress towards a world free of NTDs, contributing during this decade to the attainment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through: fundamental shifts that put countries, communities and people at the centre of the agenda;supportive cross-sectoral actions, such as health, education, nutrition, water, sanitation, and hygiene and;sustaining and accelerating progress towards the 2030 goals. Furthermore, the roadmap provides opportunities to evaluate, assess, and adjust programmatic actions, as and when needed, over the next decade by setting clear targets and milestones. Another distinct feature of this roadmap is to drive greater ownership by national and local governments, including communities. The overarching 2030 global targets are to: (1) reduce by 90% the number of people requiring interventions against NTDs;(2) have at least 100 countries having eliminated at least one NTD;(3) eradicate 2 diseases (dracunculiasis and yaws) and;(4) reduce by 75% the DALYs related to NTDs. The roadmap will enable future measuring of progress towards eradication, elimination and control of the 20 NTDs by tracking disease-specific targets. Additionally, the roadmap includes 10 cross-cutting targets relevant to progress in the areas of integration, multisectoral coordination, universal health coverage, and country ownership. Examples include a reduction by more than 75% in the number of deaths from vector-borne NTDs such as dengue and leishmaniasis;100% access to basic water supply, sanitation, and hygiene in areas endemic for NTDs;75% integrated treatment coverage index for preventive chemotherapy;90% countries including NTDs in their package of essential services, and 90% countries collecting and reporting NTD data disaggregated by gender.
ABSTRACT
Leishmaniasis is an emerging, uncontrolled, and neglected zoonotic disease. Climate change is contributing to its ongoing global expansion. The dog is the main reservoir; hence the importance of implementing effective treatment, prevention, and control measures in this animal species to protect public health. However, although the standard treatment for canine leishmaniosis (CanL) is effective, it does not provide full parasitological clearance, and side effects and drug resistance have been described. The host's immune system plays a key role in the establishment and evolution of leishmaniasis. Dietary nucleotides modulate the immune response and, given their reported efficacy and safety in sick and clinically healthy Leishmania-infected dogs and because they represent a sustainable option with no associated side effects or resistance, they could be included within the prevention, treatment, and control strategies for leishmaniasis. This article briefly summarizes the scientific literature on CanL management, including unresolved issues, and reviews the scientific evidence on immunomodulatory effects of dietary nucleotides in different animal species. It also proposes a CanL management algorithm, including nucleotides. It is concluded that nutritional modulation of the immune response with nucleotides can contribute to better management of leishmaniasis following a One Health approach, especially in the COVID-19 era.