Control of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Latin America—A Systematic Review
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pntd.0000584
- PMID
- 20098726
- PMCID
- PMC2808217
- OpenAlex
- W2068215182
- Study type
- Systematic review
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science (PLoS)
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The study addresses VL, a neglected tropical disease, and provides evidence relevant to public health decision-making regarding control versus elimination strategies in Latin America, a region where zoonotic transmission presents distinct challenges compared to anthroponotic transmission patterns seen in South Asia.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
This systematic review assessed whether effective control of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is feasible in the Americas, where transmission occurs through zoonotic cycles, and examined evidence on various control strategies including diagnosis, treatment, veterinary interventions, and vector control, evaluated against entomological and clinical outcomes.
Study design
A systematic review was conducted, searching MEDLINE, LILACS, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials for literature spanning 1960 through November 2008, with reference lists of selected articles also reviewed. The review included both intervention trials and observational studies evaluating VL control strategies in the Americas.
Population and setting
The review focused on visceral leishmaniasis control in Latin America, specifically examining the zoonotic transmission context characteristic of that region.
Main findings
Rapid diagnostic tests for VL diagnosis appeared well established. A significant gap was identified in clinical trial evidence for drug therapy, and well-designed intervention studies for vector or canine reservoir control were scarce. The authors concluded that elimination of zoonotic VL in the Americas does not appear achievable at present due to insufficient political commitment, knowledge gaps, and weaknesses in case management and surveillance systems.
Public-health relevance
The study addresses VL, a neglected tropical disease, and provides evidence relevant to public health decision-making regarding control versus elimination strategies in Latin America, a region where zoonotic transmission presents distinct challenges compared to anthroponotic transmission patterns seen in South Asia.
Important limitations
This summary is limited to the supplied single-article abstract and metadata. The search timeframe ended in 2008, potentially limiting applicability to current control strategies. The abstract does not explicitly state limitations; original paper review would be required for comprehensive interpretation.
GIDS interpretation
This systematic review provides contextual evidence regarding VL control in Latin America and identifies scientific knowledge gaps relevant to surveillance and control program design. The article does not report active surveillance data or connect to a specific pharmacovigilance or disease surveillance signal. Findings reflect the state of evidence as of 2008 and should be considered historical context rather than current epidemiological intelligence.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 10 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.