Recent developments in leishmaniasis vaccine delivery systems.
BACKGROUND
The observation that recovery from infection with Leishmania confers immunity to reinfection suggests that control of leishmaniasis by vaccination may be possible. New generation vaccines, particularly those based on recombinant proteins and DNA, are found to be less immunogenic.


OBJECTIVE
There is an urgent need for the development of new and improved vaccine adjuvants.


METHODS
Based on their principal mechanisms of action, adjuvants can be broadly separated into two classes: immunostimulatory adjuvants and vaccine delivery systems. Vaccine delivery systems can carry both antigen and adjuvant for effective delivery to the antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In this article, we review the adjuvants, the delivery systems and their combinations used in the search of an effective vaccine against leishmaniasis.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on current knowledge, cationic liposomes appear to have better prospects as effective delivery systems for developing a vaccine for leishmaniasis.
Bhowmick
Sudipta
S
Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Infectious Diseases and Immunology Division, 4, Raja S.C. Mullick Road, Kolkata, India.
Ali
Nahid
N
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000469:parasitology; D054332:Leishmaniasis Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D054332:Leishmaniasis Vaccines