Protozoan parasites and their emergence in drug resistance: A review

Abstract

Protozoal diseases remain a major global health challenge, even with considerable progress in understanding their biology. A key reason is the continued emergence of protozoan strains that can withstand multiple drugs. The growing incidence of multidrug-resistant protozoan parasites, combined with a shortage of new therapeutics featuring novel modes of action, is steadily undermining the effectiveness of existing antiprotozoal treatments. This trend is particularly alarming for globally impactful diseases such as malaria, leishmaniasis and trypanosomiasis, making drug resistance an increasingly urgent threat to both human and animal health worldwide.