Leishmaniasis: An Arabic Middle Eastern Glimpse

Leishmaniasis is a neglected, chronic vector-borne disease caused by an obligatory intracellular protozoan. Although the number of cases is not rising worldwide, it is geographically widespread. It is endemic in most Arabic countries. Human leishmaniasis is caused by approximately 30 different parasite species. Leishmaniasis is transmitted to man by inoculation of the infective stage "promastigote" during the bite of the female sandfly. Disease development and severity are regulated by the equilibrium between TH1 and TH2 immune responses. The common types are cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial in the prognosis of the disease. Diagnosis can be achieved through stained blood smear examination, culture, serological assays, and molecular diagnostics. Treatment options include drug chemotherapy, local therapy, or a combination of them, depending on the case. Many generations of vaccines have been developed, but there is no conclusive one. Many challenges face the control of leishmaniasis in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions.