Revisiting epidemiology of leishmaniasis in central Asia: lessons learnt

Abstract

In this work we reviewed historical and recent data onLeishmaniaspp. infection combiningdata collected in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, China andMongolia. We specifically focused on a complex of co-existing species (Leishmania major,Leishmania turanicaandLeishmania gerbilli) sharing the same animal reservoirs and vectors.In addition, we analysed the presence of dsRNA viruses in these species and discussed futureresearch directions to identify species-specific traits, which may determine susceptibility ofdifferent Leishmaniaspp. to viral infection.

Keywords

• animal reservoir
• central Asia
• coinfection
• great gerbils
• Leishmania gerbilli
• Leishmania major
• Leishmania turanica
• Leishmaniavirus