Leishmaniasis in Cameroon: what is known and is done so far? A protocol for systematic review

Systems biology of autophagy in leishmanial infection and its diverse role in precision medicine

Autophagy is a contentious issue in leishmaniasis and is emerging as a promising therapeutic regimen. Published research on the impact of autophagic regulation on Leishmania survival is inconclusive, despite numerous pieces of evidence that Leishmania spp. triggers autophagy in a variety of cell types. The mechanistic approach is poorly understood in the Leishmania parasite as autophagy is significant in both Leishmania and the host. Herein, this review discusses the autophagy proteins that are being investigated as potential therapeutic targets, the connection between autophagy and lipid metabolism, and microRNAs that regulate autophagy and lipid metabolism. It also highlights the use of systems biology to develop novel autophagy-dependent therapeutics for leishmaniasis by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), mathematical modeling, network analysis, and other computational methods. Additionally, we have shown many databases for autophagy and metabolism in Leishmania parasites that suggest potential therapeutic targets for intricate signaling in the autophagy system. In a nutshell, the detailed understanding of the dynamics of autophagy in conjunction with lipids and miRNAs unfolds larger dimensions for future research.

Leishmaniasis in Cameroon and neighboring countries: An overview of current status and control challenges

Leishmaniasis causes the ninth largest disease burden among infectious diseases but remains a very neglected tropical disease. Although the disease is endemic in Cameroon and some neighboring countries, data on its epidemiology are very scanty. The present review summarizes the available information on leishmaniasis in the central region of Africa. According to available records, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria have been identified as endemic foci of both cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In addition, the phlebotomine vectors of leishmaniasis have been reported in these three countries and also in Congo and the Central African Republic. Although Gabon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Congo are all situated next to the above leishmaniasis-endemic countries and are characterized by similar landscapes and vegetation, they lack published reports of autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis. Considering that many cases of the disease might remain unreported, it might not be an overstatement to recommend that research should be carried out in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Congo to identify cases of leishmaniasis (CL and/or VL), the parasite and vector species, and the mammalian reservoir host. This review updates data on leishmaniasis and its insect vector in the geographical region of Central Africa. Such updates are basic requirement for the development of successful control programmes in individual countries and the whole region. In order to address the shortcomings identified in the present review, the authors recommend training of more scientists in leishmaniasis epidemiology in the region that should be accompanied by necessary funding. This training must be multidisciplinary and include development of laboratory and field skills for studies of the parasite, the vector, the reservoir, the vegetation and the soil in potential endemic foci. In addition, prospective studies involving geographers and other experts should develop a disease risk map of the Central Africa region.