Tegumentary Leishmaniasis: Perspectives and Challenges in This Enigmatic
Disease
- Héctor Serrano-Coll,
- Lucero Katherine Aristizábal-Parra,
- Graciela Olarte,
- Carolina Salamanca Leguizamón
Héctor Serrano-Coll
Universidad CES Clinica CES
Corresponding Author:hserrano@ces.edu.co
Author ProfileLucero Katherine Aristizábal-Parra
Universidad Industrial de Santander
Author ProfileCarolina Salamanca Leguizamón
Fundacion Universitaria de San Gil
Author ProfileAbstract
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Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a chronic granulomatous disease affecting the
skin and mucous membranes. It is caused by an obligate intracellular
protozoan of the genus Leishmania, transmitted through the bite
of a female sandfly of the genus Phlebotomus or Lutzomyia.
The host immune response plays a crucial role in the development of the
clinical form of the disease. An imbalance favoring Th1 and Th17
responses promotes localized cutaneous or mucosal forms, whereas a Th2
response is associated with generalized forms, such as disseminated or
diffuse cutaneous leishmaniasis. Currently, medical treatment remains
based on pentavalent antimonial compounds, which induce host toxicity,
underscoring the need to explore new therapeutic options.