by Bush JT, Wasunna M, Alves F, Alvar J, Olliaro PL, Otieno M, Hopkins Sibley C, Strub Wourgaft N, Guerin PJ. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases 2017, doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005781.
Summary: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a vector borne infectious disease caused by protozoan parasites transmitted by sand flies. The disease occurs in specific areas of Africa, Asia and South America, with an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 cases each year, resulting in 20,000 to 40,000 deaths. The review identified 145 published VL clinical trials, which together have enrolled 26,986 patients, with sufficient consistency in the trial methods to support pooling of these individual patient data. The findings suggest that a VL data sharing platform would enable meaningful meta-analysis of VL treatment trials, which could inform treatment allocation, further drug development, and guide improved disease control.
