Journal article
Recent developments leading toward a paradigm switch in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to human leishmaniasis
Current opinion in infectious diseases, Vol.21(5), pp.483-488
10/2008
DOI: 10.1097/QCO.0b013e32830d0ee8
PMCID: PMC2593452
PMID: 18725797
Abstract
Purpose of review
To identify recent papers showing how human and parasite genetics influence leishmaniasis, and how understanding of the immunopathology may be utilized in immunotherapy for these diseases.
Recent findings
Progress has been made in recent years showing the complexity within populations of Leishmania spp. and indicating that different strains lead to diverse clinical pictures and responses to treatment. Thus detection of parasite genetic tags for the precise identification of infecting strains, and for predictive diagnosis of clinical and therapeutic fates seems now possible. Host genetic loci involved in disease outcome have been detected, which may also be explored for better case management. These developments in diagnosis will demand expanding the therapeutic arsenal to take their expected effect. This is starting to be fulfilled by immunotherapies successfully employed to treat cases refractory to standard first line drugs, as the result of a more profound comprehension of the immunopathology of the leishmaniases.
Summary
The knowledge mounting has already helped explain why different patients present different forms of leishmaniasis and respond differently to treatment, and may be on the verge of catalyzing a major change in the already over a century old paradigm of diagnosing and managing these patients.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Recent developments leading toward a paradigm switch in the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to human leishmaniasis
- Creators
- Albert Schriefer - Departments of Internal Medicine, Microbiology and Epidemiology, University of Iowa, and the VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USAMary E Wilson - Departments of Internal Medicine, Microbiology and Epidemiology, University of Iowa, and the VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USAEdgar M Carvalho - Departments of Internal Medicine, Microbiology and Epidemiology, University of Iowa, and the VA Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Current opinion in infectious diseases, Vol.21(5), pp.483-488
- DOI
- 10.1097/QCO.0b013e32830d0ee8
- PMID
- 18725797
- PMCID
- PMC2593452
- NLM abbreviation
- Curr Opin Infect Dis
- ISSN
- 0951-7375
- eISSN
- 1473-6527
- Grant note
- R01 AI048822-05 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI048822-01A1 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI045540-06 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI067874-03 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI048822-02 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI045540-05A2 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI048822-03 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI067874-02 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID P50 AI030639-15 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI067874-01 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID P50 AI030639-16 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID R01 AI048822-04 || AI / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Extramural Activities : NIAID
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 10/2008
- Academic Unit
- Microbiology and Immunology; International Programs; Epidemiology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984001205902771
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