Leishmaniasis in deployed military populations: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT: Leishmaniasis affects military personnel deployed to endemic areas following exposure to sand flies infected with the protozoa Leishmania. This systematic review and meta-analysis of data specific to military populations aims to identify knowledge gaps to mitigate sand fly exposure and Leishmania transmission during deployments. The review was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42023463687). Random-effects meta-analyses and narrative synthesis were performed. Thirty-six studies were included, most of which reported on cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), showing a mean cumulative incidence of 10% (95% CI: 5-16), suggesting higher rates in the Eastern Mediterranean region (14% [95% CI: 12-16]) compared to the African region (8%) and American region (9%). Asymptomatic Leishmania infection had a cumulative

SUBMITTER: Niba Rawlings N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11913291 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature