Comparative genomics, phylogenomics and population genomics of New World Leishmania

Leishmaniasis is a complex parasitic disease with diverse clinical manifestations and epidemiology that is caused by protozoan belonging to the genus Leishmania. These parasites are transmitted to the mammalian host by the bite of infected phlebotomine Lutzomyia sand flies in the New World and Phlebotomus in the Old World. The leishmaniasis is spread in more than 98 countries worldwide putting 350 million people at risk of infection and causing more than 1.5 new million cases per year (Murray et al., 2005; Alvar et al., 2012) (Preface: Figure 1). Currently, this infection is considered as an emergent and re-emergent disease and there is increased concern about its progressive adaptation into urban environments, the effects of human migration, climate change and co-infection with other diseases (Desjeux, 2004).