Treatment of leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis

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Abstract
The Leishmania and Trypanosoma genera, members of the family Trypanosomidae, have species that are pathogenic for humans and other mammals. These organisms are spread by arthropod vectors, have a series of developmental forms, and have a specialized mitochondrial structure at the base of their flagellum known as the kinetoplast. They produce very different clinical syndromes: leishmaniasis, African sleeping sickness, and Chagas' disease. Chemotherapy is available for the treatment of these diseases, although in the case of East African sleeping sickness, which is caused by Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense, and Chagas' disease, which is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, therapy is toxic and marginally effective. Recent advances in understanding the biochemistry and molecular biology of the organisms, as well as insights into the immunology of the diseases, have helped to facilitate the development of new approaches to chemotherapy.

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