​Leishmania-related illnesses remain among the world’s deadliest neglected tropical diseases, affecting approximately 12 million people in 88 countries. The mortality rate is substantial, contributing to nearly two million disability-adjusted life years. As more is understood about this parasite and its effects, work toward prevention, control, and treatment continues apace. Leishmania and Leishmaniasis will address the parasite and its attendant disease, which manifests in three syndromes: Visceral (VL), Cutaneous (CL) and Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (ML). The morphology and life cycles of the various species will be among the topics addressed in Part One. Part Two will focus on immunology, including host-immune response to Leishmania infection, cross-immunity between the different species and adoptive transfer of immunity. Parts Three and Four will address how Leishmania invade and survive, the clinical features of the disease, and its diagnosis. Drugs, vaccines and treatment will be thoroughly explored, including experimental models of therapeutics. Leishmania and Leishmaniasis will provide a thorough examination of a parasite, the illnesses it causes and the misery it continues to visit upon large segments of the population.​

This book addresses the current challenges in controlling Kala-azar disease (Visceral leishmaniasis) in India and other VL-endemic areas, and aims to develop and apply a geo-environmental risk model based on primary and secondary data with the aid of remote sensing and GIS technologies to assess and mitigate Kala-azar transmission. Through case studies carried out in India, the book provides insight into the relationship between geo-environmental variables and encroachments of Kala-azar, and identifies potential pathways for VL introduction to develop mitigation strategies using GIS and remote sensing technologies. The book critically assesses existing VL mitigation measures that do not adequately account for geo-environmental conditions, and analyzes the environmental factors that aid Kala-azar transmission using remote sensing, spatial statistics and data mining techniques. The book will be of interest to epidemiologists, researchers and practitioners using geospatial data practices to study disease transmission and associated monitoring technologies.