Tag: Visceral leishmaniasis

Leishmaniasis is a tropical disease affecting hundreds of thousands of people annually worldwide, causing a wide range of clinical presentations. The drug Glucantime (meglumine antimoniate), a pentavalent antimonial, has been a cornerstone in treating this parasitic infection for decades.

Leishmaniasis affects millions worldwide, with approximately 700,000 to 1 million new cases annually. A primary historical and current treatment for this disease is sodium stibogluconate, which is a key component in the fight against this debilitating parasitic infection.

Used in medicine since the 1940s, sodium stibogluconate (SSG) is a pentavalent antimonial agent historically used as a primary treatment for leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease caused by sandfly bites. The medication, once available as Pentostam, now faces significant issues with global supply and parasitic resistance, leading to its limited and highly specialized use.

With an estimated 0.7 to 1 million new cases annually, leishmaniasis is a significant global health issue. So, what does Impavido treat? This oral medication is a primary weapon against specific parasitic infections caused by the *Leishmania* parasite and is also used for other rare but deadly infections.

With increasing resistance to standard leishmaniasis treatments, scientists are exploring alternative therapies, including the potent antimalarial artemisinin. But what is an artemisinin for leishmaniasis, and how is it being adapted for this debilitating disease?

Originally developed as an anticancer agent, miltefosine later emerged as the world's first effective oral drug for leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease. This was a significant breakthrough, offering a convenient alternative to traditional parenteral treatments for visceral leishmaniasis (VL). The drug, sold under the brand name Impavido in some regions, has demonstrated high cure rates, though its efficacy can vary by geographic location and parasite species.

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease estimated to affect hundreds of thousands of people annually worldwide, with a historical reliance on injectable treatments. The development of miltefosine, the first and only recognized oral drug for leishmaniasis, marked a significant advancement in therapeutic options for this neglected tropical disease.

With an estimated 1.6 million new cases occurring annually, leishmaniasis primarily affects impoverished communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America [1.6.3]. The search for safer, more effective treatments has led scientists to ask: **can ivermectin treat leishmaniasis?**