FISIOPATOLOGIA DA LEISHMANIOSE VISCERAL E DESENVOLVIMENTO DE VACINAS HUMANAS: UMA REVISÃO BIBLIOGRÁFICA

Abstract

Leishmaniases are considered neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization and the most current classifications point to three main clinical forms: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL), Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (MCL) and Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL). The high prevalence of VL in Brazil and its high lethality make it necessary to increase research into the pathophysiology of the disease, as well as more effective treatments and safe forms of prevention such as vaccines. This study aimed to carry out a descriptive and qualitative bibliographical survey on aspects of the Leishmania life cycle, its clinical forms, diagnosis and treatment, with an emphasis on the main virulence factors of the parasite and the host's immune response in the pathophysiology of VL, as well as the current scenario in the development of vaccines for human use. We explore how human immune responses, immunopathology and host interactions with Leishmania affect the efficacy of vaccines, diagnostics and drugs. Due to the complexity of these interactions and even with several ongoing studies, few vaccines for veterinary use have entered and left the market, and those for humans are still under development. There is still a need to deepen our understanding and improve the efficiency of tools for treating, controlling and eliminating this disease.