Definition:

Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease that affects millions of people especially in developing countries of Africa, the Americas, and Asia. Leishmaniasis is caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Leishmania transmitted to humans by phlebotomine sandflies. In humans, leishmanial infections cause cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL), and visceral leishmaniasis/kala-azar (VL). There is no defined vaccine available against the disease.