Leishmaniasis in Thailand: A Review of Causative Agents and Situations

Before 1999, leishmaniasis was considered an imported disease in Thailand. Since then, autochthonous leishmaniasis was reported in both immmunocompetent and immmunocompromised patients especially in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A new species was ident...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Main Authors: Leelayoova, Saovanee, Siripattanapipong, Suradej, Manomat, Jipada, Piyaraj, Phunlerd, Tan-ariya, Peerapan, Bualert, Lertwut, Mungthin, Mathirut
Format: Text
Language:English
Published: The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 2017
Subjects:
Review Article
Rattus rattus
Online Access:http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5361524/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28093539
https://doi.org/10.4269/ajtmh.16-0604
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Summary:Before 1999, leishmaniasis was considered an imported disease in Thailand. Since then, autochthonous leishmaniasis was reported in both immmunocompetent and immmunocompromised patients especially in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). A new species was identified and named as Leishmania siamensis consisting of two lineages, that is, lineages TR and PG. Analysis of isoenzymes has clarified the more commonly detected L. siamensis lineage PG as Leishmania martiniquensis (MON-229), a species originally reported from the Martinique Island, whereas the L. siamensis lineage TR has been identified as the true novel species, L. siamensis (MON-324). Both cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) have been found among Thai patients. Disseminated CL and VL could be presented in some reported patients who had HIV/AIDS coinfection. So far, only sporadic cases have been reported; thus, the true prevalence of leishmaniasis should be determined in Thailand among the high-risk populations such as people with HIV/AIDS. A recent survey among animals identified L. martiniquensis DNA in black rats (Rattus rattus) suggesting a potential animal reservoir. In addition, L. martiniquensis DNA was identified in Sergentomyia gemmea and Sergentomyia barraudi, the predominant sandfly species in the affected areas. However, further studies are needed to prove that these sandflies could serve as the vector of leishmaniasis in Thailand.

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