Perceptions on therapeutic modalities regarding the virulence and immunity of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Abstract

Despite the wide variety of Leishmania spp. virulence, the present repertoire of drugs has limited effects, showing increased resistance. The effect depends on host immune factors which differ between immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, and among various clinical forms of the disease. Recently, metallocomplexes have been increasingly shown to be potent delivery systems for conventional treatments. Additionally, lasers were suggested as an efficacious treatment tool due to their potentials in the clinical applications and resolution of the disease. This review suggests that the promising leishmanicidal activity of the metallocomplexes and laser treatment comprise a new hopeful alternative in the search for definitive cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) cure.