Leishmaniasis in North Africa; Ecological Dynamics and Control Challenges

Purpose of Review

Leishmaniasis is a significant neglected tropical disease (NTD) with profound public health and socioeconomic impacts across North Africa. This review provides an emphasis on the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and diagnostic evolution of the disease.

Recent Findings

Ecological diversity, rapid urbanization, climate change, and population displacement have reshaped transmission cycles. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) remains hyper-endemic in North Africa, while Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) continues to cause high mortality in East Africa. Emerging molecular tools are being evaluated against current diagnostic gold standards, highlighting systemic gaps in surveillance and treatment accessibility.

Summary

This work provides essential insights on epidemiology, transmission, and diagnosis of Leishmaniasis in Egypt and other North African countries highlighting the impact of ecological and demographic factors on disease dynamics and identifying gaps in surveillance and treatment.