Veterinary medicine and public health: From diagnosis to the fight against leishmaniasis

Abstract

Tegumentary and visceral leishmaniasis are neglected diseases in the Americas, prioritized by the WHO due to their potential lethality. Caused by the protozoan Leishmania and transmitted by the Lutzomyia longipalpis mosquito, they present distinct symptoms: skin lesions for tegumentary and severe systemic symptoms for visceral. Diagnosis involves methods such as serology and PCR, with specific treatments including meglumine antimoniate and miltefosine. Prevention is based on measures such as environmental hygiene and the use of repellents on animals to avoid exposure to the vector.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevenVImulti2024-063