title: Recent advances in antileishmanial drug development.
abstract: Leishmania are protozoan parasites responsible for a spectrum of diseases collectively known as leishmaniasis. The disease is a significant health problem in many regions of the world and emerges as a serious co-infection in HIV-positive individuals. Current treatment of the disease is based on a limited number of chemotherapeutic agents which are rapidly becoming ineffective, and are characterized by high toxicity and cost. This review focuses on recent advances in antileishmanial drug development and improvements to current treatment options. Novel approaches currently used to identify leishmanicidal compounds as diverse as antimicrobial peptides and natural plant extracts are described in this review.
authors.affiliation: Division of Infection and Immunity, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville 3050, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Antony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Lukasz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kedzierski
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001685:Biological Factors; D006801:Humans; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D008517:Phytotherapy
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D001685:Biological Factors