СUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN KAZAKHSTAN: A HISTORICAL AND EPIDEMIOLOGICAL OVERVIEW AND MOLECULAR GENETIC FRAMEWORK

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne parasitic disease that remains relevant both globally and in regional settings. This article presents an analysis of the current epidemiological situation regarding CL in the Republic of Kazakhstan, with a focus on the endemic areas of the Turkestan and Kyzylorda Regions. The study provides data on the prevalence of CL and trends in incidence over 2018-2025, examines the characteristics of natural foci, the role of reservoir animals and vectors, as well as the impact of climatic and anthropogenic factors on the expansion of the pathogen’s range. Particular attention is given to the challenges of early diagnosis of CL in the country, the insufficient sensitivity of traditional diagnostic methods, and the pressing need to introduce molecular genetic approaches. The review includes a historical overview of CL foci formation, an assessment of the effectiveness of existing epidemiological surveillance methods, and substantiates the need for comprehensive monitoring using modern biomedical and sanitary tools. The sustained reporting of CL cases in endemic areas, the absence of updated national epidemiological data, the persistence of natural foci, the limited sensitivity of conventional diagnostics, and the lack of a unified genetic database on CL pathogens in Kazakhstan highlight the relevance of this article. These factors emphasize the importance of comprehensive epidemiological analysis, elimination of informational gaps, and the implementation of modern diagnostic and monitoring tools into national public health practice. The review is based on literature indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus and eLIBRARY.RU, with priority given to publications of the past decade, and covers the biology of reservoir hosts and vectors, the influence of climatic and anthropogenic drivers, current methods of molecular identification and typing of the pathogen, and the relevance of species-level diagnosis for treatment decisions and the planning of preventive measures. Epidemiological indicators for the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2018-2025 are reported from the official statistics of the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the routine records of the Department of Sanitary and Epidemiological Control of the Turkestan Region.