Novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis

Drug Discov Today. 2013 Dec;18(23-24):1272-81. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2013.08.005. Epub 2013 Aug 20.

Abstract

Leishmaniasis reveals itself in two forms, cutaneous and visceral, but the later exerts serious complications and may lead to death, if untreated. The availability of limited number of antileishmanial chemotherapeutic agents, the high cost of treatment, growing incidences of resistance to first line drugs as well as severe toxicities associated with the drugs complicate the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis. To overcome these problems, critical investigation of new therapeutic strategies with potential antileishmanial activity and good tolerability are essential. In this review we explore the different facets of novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of visceral leishmaniasis with a purpose to summarize all the possible treatment tactics, which will help scientists working in this arena to implement their research in a systematic manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / economics
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Costs
  • Drug Design*
  • Drug Resistance
  • Humans
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / drug therapy*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / parasitology

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents