In this work we reviewed historical and recent data on Leishmania spp. infection combining data collected in Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Iran, China and Mongolia. We specifically focused on a complex of co-existing species (Leishmania major, Leishmania turanica and Leishmania gerbilli) sharing the same animal reservoirs and vectors. In addition, we analysed the presence of dsRNA viruses in these species and discussed future research directions to identify species-specific traits, which may determine susceptibility of different Leishmania spp. to viral infection.

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science Charles University 12844 Prague Czech Republic

Faculty of Bioengineering and Bioinformatics Lomonosov Moscow State University 119991 Moscow Russia

Life Science Research Centre Faculty of Science University of Ostrava 71000 Ostrava Czech Republic

Martsinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology Sechenov University 119435 Moscow Russia

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