What is Leishmaniasis? An introduction and overview

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by a group of protozoan parasites called Leishmania. It is classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease and affects some of the poorest countries in the world causing 20-30,000 deaths each year. The disease is transmitted through the bite of an infected sandfly and causes 3 main types of disease: Cutaneous, Visceral and Mucous.