Hamster, a close model for visceral leishmaniasis: Opportunities and challenges

What is it about?

No animal model can entirely reproduce all the possible outcomes of Leishmania infection. However, M. auratus is fulfilling the qualities of a suitable animal model when infected with a wide variety of Leishmania species belonging to different pathogenic traits. In the present review, we have focused on various contributory factors of Leishmania infection in hamsters and the opportunities and challenges of using them as an animal model for Leishmania infection.

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Photo by Nils Schirmer on Unsplash

Photo by Nils Schirmer on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Syrian hamster (M. auratus) among other animal models is undoubtedly a better animal model for immunopathogenesis, drug discovery and vaccine development studies of VL infection. But, further optimization of this animal model is required to mimic human VL completely. Besides this, efforts of producing hamster specific reagents and more sensitive techniques should be continued, to explore various aspects of the immuno-clinicopathogenesis of the disease, which is essential for the creation of new therapeutic and vaccine targets.