New World Leishmaniasis

New world Leishmaniasis is a major public health problem causing morbidity, scarring, disfigurement in Latin American countries, mostly in poor communities, in Military personnel and in more recent years, it has been an increasing health concern in travellers returning from Latin America. This chapter reviews the etiology and epidemiological basis of this complex parasitic disease prevalent in South and Central America. As travel increases, we are seeing patients coming from endemic areas, with clinical presentations highly suggestive of this infection, in Dermatology departments and/or in Accident and Emergency Units in the UK and Europe, from travelers that visited forested areas in endemic countries. It also discusses the main clinical presentations as well as diagnostic tools used during investigation and assessment. Finally, it summarizes the most commonly used treatments as well as outlining prognosis of the disease.