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Out of the 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) prioritized by the World Health Organization, the leishmaniases rank in the top 3 among those caused by protozoa. The purpose of this book is to provide the reader with a comprehensive and updated overview of all the aspects of leishmaniasis with a worldwide perspective - authors of many chapters include eminent scientists from both the Old and New Worlds. The chapters cover a wide range of topics, classically organized into biology and epidemiology, followed by clinical and control aspects. Following an introductory chapter intended to take the reader into the leishmaniasis complexity, a chapter on Leishmania taxonomy reports on the most recent advances in molecular and phylogenetic data. Parasite biology is then described in detail by means of two separate chapters devoted to phlebotomine vectors and reservoir hosts, respectively. The medical part of the book begins with a chapter on basic immunology and immunopathology associated with Leishmania infection, followed by a classical chapter on clinical aspects of different disease entities. The complexity of disease case management is presented by means of 3 chapters, respectively on diagnosis, treatment of visceral forms and treatment of tegumentary forms. Finally, the last chapter deals with the available approaches to control leishmaniasis and related public health issues.
List of contents
Introduction to epidemiology.- Leishmania taxonomy.- Parasite biology: the vectors.- Parasite biology: the reservoir hosts.- Immunological and immunopathological aspects.- Clinical aspects in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients.- Diagnosis.- Treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.- Treatment of tegumentary forms of leishmaniasis.- Control and public health aspects.
About the author
Professor Dr. Fabrizio Bruschi, University of Pisa, Italy
Dr. Luigi Gradoni, Research Director, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy
Summary
Provides a broad overview to fundamental research in Leishmaniases
Explores prevention, treatment and management of Leishmaniases
Enriches understanding of the neglected tropical diseases NTDs
Additional text
“It is a book for researchers on the subject, but also for anyone interested in contemporary health issues. ... This compilation of information gathered by Fabrizio Bruschi and Luigi Gradoni brings many useful insights that broaden understanding of the high global morbidity and mortality from leishmaniasis, which is unacceptable given its relationship with the man-made changes in the environment.” (Gláucia Cota, The Lancet, Vol. 18, June, 2018)
Report
"It is a book for researchers on the subject, but also for anyone interested in contemporary health issues. ... This compilation of information gathered by Fabrizio Bruschi and Luigi Gradoni brings many useful insights that broaden understanding of the high global morbidity and mortality from leishmaniasis, which is unacceptable given its relationship with the man-made changes in the environment." (Gláucia Cota, The Lancet, Vol. 18, June, 2018)
