Nonika Rajkumari¹* and Shalini Bhaumik²

¹MD Microbiology, Additional Professor, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal, 741245, India
²MD Microbiology, Senior Resident, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal, 741245, India

*Corresponding Author: Nonika Rajkumari, MD Microbiology, Additional Professor, Department of Microbiology, AIIMS Kalyani, West Bengal, 741245, India.

Received: October 14, 2025; Published: October 30, 2025

Abstract

Background: Leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease, is caused by protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania, transmitted through bites of infected female Phlebotomine sandflies. It manifests as visceral leishmaniasis (VL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL). In India, rural and low-income populations are particularly vulnerable to VL. This review was done to see the burden of leishmaniasis in India, focusing on elimination strategies, recent advancements, clinical aspects, diagnostic challenges, and treatment approaches.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google Scholar, WHO databases, and the National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) repository. Publications from 2000–2024 were included, using keywords such as “leishmaniasis India”, “kala-azar elimination”, “vector control”, and “diagnosis and treatment.” Studies were screened for relevance to epidemiology, public health policies, diagnostics, or treatment. Data extraction involved summarizing epidemiological trends, diagnostic techniques, and intervention outcomes. Synthesis was done qualitatively, comparing findings across studies and official reports to identify progress, challenges, and gaps.

Content: The disease ranges from self-healing CL ulcers to life-threatening VL. Diagnosis is based on clinical suspicion, epidemiological history, and laboratory confirmation via microscopy, PCR, or serology. From 1992 to 2023, cases fell by over 98% due to integrated surveillance, early detection, vector control, use of liposomal amphotericin B (AmBisome), ASHA worker involvement, and KAMIS implementation. Persistent challenges include atypical and drug-resistant cases, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Conclusions: While incidence has declined sharply, sustaining elimination requires community engagement, stronger surveillance, improved diagnostics, and proactive management of atypical forms to prevent resurgence.

Keywords: Leishmaniasis; Kala-azar; Visceral Leishmaniasis; Vector Control

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Citation

Citation: Nonika Rajkumari and Shalini Bhaumik. "Current Updates on Leishmaniasis: A Brief Review".Acta Scientific Microbiology 8.11 (2025): 50-59.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Nonika Rajkumari and Shalini Bhaumik. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.