Bibliometric analysis and current status of Leishmaniasis research indexed in Scopus, 2010 -2023

Abstract

_Background_ Leishmaniasis as many Neglected Tropical Diseases conditions is prevalent in impoverished communities in tropical and sub-tropical areas across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by different species of protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Approximately 90 sandfly species have been associated with the transmission of more than 90 _Leishmania _species with approximately 350 million people at risk and more than 2 million infections occurring worldwide annually. _Methods_ This study employs bibliometric and visual analysis to explore trends in leishmaniasis research, aiming to identify research themes, hotspots, and future development trends. The search strategy used in the Scopus database was ["leishmaniasis" OR "_Leishmania_" OR "leishmania infection" in all fields] from 2010 until 30th March 2023. Neither language nor document type restriction was employed during the search and information analysis. _Results_ For the period 2010-2023, a total of 21,362 publications were retrieved, a gradual increase from 6,983 publications between 2010 and 2014 to 14,379 publications from 2015 to March 2023. The research communication on leishmaniasis spans 160 scientific journals, with Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases being the leading journal (4.71%). Brazil leads in the total number of publications (25.58%), followed by the USA (14.71%) and India (11.89%). Notably, the majority of authors and organizational affiliations with the highest number of citations were from Europe. In science mapping, the USA emerges as a leader in citations, bibliographic coupling, and co-authorship. Authors and organizational affiliations with the highest number of citations predominantly hail from Europe. _Conclusions_ This study highlights a steady increase in leishmaniasis research publications, with the USA and Brazil at the forefront. It underscores the need for enhanced collaborations and research infrastructure in low and middle-income countries, where leishmaniasis burden is significant. This recommendation aims to empower these countries to make substantial contributions to leishmaniasis research. Overall, the findings provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of leishmaniasis research and suggest strategies for fostering global collaboration and inclusivity in addressing this neglected tropical disease.