Grant: Project Grant

Leishmania donovani infects the major visceral organs resulting in visceral leishmaniasis which is the second most deadly parasitic infection after malaria. There is no vaccine for this infection and the treatment options are limited. We recently isolated a naturally attenuated strain of L. donovani from Sri Lanka that instead of causing visceral leishmaniasis, remains in the skin at the site of the bite from the sandfly. We propose to identify the genetic mechanism in which this strain has become attenuated. The information from this research will help identify drug targets and help in the development of a live attenuated vaccine for this important neglected tropical infectious disease.