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## Meet the editors

Dr. Fernando Almeida-Souza is a veterinarian with a master's degree in animal science from the State University of Maranhão, Brazil, and a doctorate in cellular and molecular biology from Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Brazil. He is currently a Professor of Immunology at Post-graduate in Animal Science, at the State University of Maranhão. He also collaborates at IOC/FIOCRUZ in the Laboratory of Protozo-

ology, guiding doctoral and master students. He has several publications in international journals to his credit. He is also a journal reviewer and editor. At present, much of Dr. Almeida-Souza's research is directed towards developing new therapeutic strategies for trypanosomatid diseases, evaluating synthetic and natural product compounds, in addition to studies of cellular ultrastructure, biochemical and cellular and molecular biology assays on tumor cells, pathogenic microorganisms, and experimental biological models.

Dr. Flávia de Oliveira Cardoso is a biologist with a Ph.D. in Parasite Biology from Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ (IOC/ FIOCRUZ), Brazil, where she is a public health technician. She is also a quality manager in the Laboratory of Protozoology, IOC/FIOCRUZ. She researches the immunopathology, diagnosis, and epidemiology of leishmaniasis and Chagas disease as well as drug discovery for their treatment. Dr. Cardoso super-

vises undergraduate and graduate students. She has several peer-reviewed research articles and book chapters to her credit. She is an editorial board member for *Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology* and *Biology* as well as a journal reviewer. She is a collaborating professor and researcher at the State University of Maranhão, Brazil, and an invited teacher at Souza Marques University, Brazil.

Dr. Ana Lucia Abreu-Silva started a position as an assistant professor at the State University of Maranhão, Brazil, in 1990, and has had a successful career in research, teaching, and extension in veterinary medicine. She has played fundamental roles in the development of research and graduate studies in Maranhão state. Recently, she began work on an innovative project that aims to track cases of leishmaniasis. She was previously

coordinator of the Graduate Program of Animal Sciences at the State University of Maranhão. She is currently a coordinator of the veterinary medicine course at the same institution, as well as a member of the Ethics Committee for Research with Human Beings and a researcher at the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Innovation.

Dr. Katia da Silva Calabrese is a post-doctoral student at Hôpital Saint-Louis and Université Denis Diderot, Paris. She obtained a master's degree and Ph.D. in Parasitic Biology from the Oswaldo Cruz Institute/FIOCRUZ (IOC/FIOCRUZ), Brazil. She also holds a degree in Biological Sciences from UGF. She is a researcher in public health, the head of the Laboratory of Protozoology, and the coordinator of the Reference Service for Canine Tegumentary

Leishmaniasis at IOC/FIOCRUZ. She works in protozoology, especially in Chagas disease, leishmaniasis, and toxoplasmosis, with research projects that include developing formulations for the treatment of protozoa and inflammatory processes; studying resistance and susceptibility mechanisms and interactions of pathogens with their host cells; and immunogenicity, epidemiology, and immunopathology. Dr. Calabrese is a postgraduate advisor at IOC, UEC, UFMG, and UEMA and a member of the IOC Technical Reference Chamber.

## Contents



Preface

For many years, leishmaniasis cases were basically restricted to developing countries. As a disease of extreme poverty, measures to control the insect vector, allocating resources for research, and protecting the environment were not adopted by government policies. The rise of unrestricted deforestation, globalization, and co-infections contributed to the spread of the disease to other countries in less than a century. Leishmaniasis is now a category Class I disease according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and is considered an uncontrolled emerging disease. These types of neglected diseases present many challenges, such as a lack of vector control strategies and vaccines for the most pathogenic *Leishmania* strains, parasite resistance, and ineffective treatment for canine leishmaniasis, which makes it increasingly difficult to control these diseases. This book discusses different aspects of *Leishmania* parasites. Chapters are organized into three sections: "Introduction", "Epidemiology and Immunopathology of Leishmaniases" and

Section 1 contains the introductory chapter. The six chapters that follow in section 2 "Epidemiology and Immunopathology of Leishmaniases" focus on the epidemiology of leishmaniasis. Chapter 2 reviews the epidemiology of leishmaniasis, Chapter 3 discusses the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis in India, and Chapter 4 presents an interesting analysis of leishmaniasis epidemiology and psychosocial aspects of the disease. Chapter 5 is a review of cutaneous leishmaniasis, while Chapter 6 discusses visceral leishmaniasis, including its status, geographical distribution and transmission. Chapter 7 presents an in-depth review of the importance of species-specific leishmania antigens.

Section 3 includes two chapters that discuss leishmaniasis in domestic animals. Chapter 8 focuses on feline leishmaniasis, while Chapter 9 reviews the association

All chapters provide a unique perspective, resulting from the efforts of numerous leading researchers around the world. Overall, the book contributes to a better understanding of *Leishmania* parasites as well as aspects related to epidemiology, immunopathology, and challenges of the disease in humans and domestic animals.

**Fernando Almeida-Souza and Ana Lucia Abreu-Silva**

**Flávia de Oliveira Cardoso and Kátia da Silva Calabrese**

State University of Maranhão,

Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

São Luís, Brazil

"New Insights on Leishmaniasis in Domestic Animals".

between canine leishmaniasis and malignant disorders.
