Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) represents the most severe form of the tropical disease, leishmaniasis. Treatment of VL is complicated because of the few clinically approved antileishmanial drugs available; emerging resistance to first-line drugs; need for a temperature-controlled ‘cold’ supply chain; serious toxicity concerns over drugs such as amphotericin B; high cost of medication; and unavailability of clinically approved antileishmanial vaccines. Attacking potential molecular targets, specific to the parasite, is a vital step in the treatment of this and other infectious diseases. As we discuss here, comprehensive investigation of these targets could provide a promising strategy for the treatment of visceral leishmaniasis.

内脏利什曼病（VL）是热带疾病利什曼病的最严重形式。VL的治疗非常复杂，因为临床上可以使用的抗疟药为数不多。对一线药物的耐药性出现；需要温度控制的“冷”供应链；对两性霉素B等药物存在严重的毒性问题；高昂的药物治疗费用；以及无法获得临床认可的抗禽流感疫苗。攻击针对该寄生虫的潜在分子靶标，是治疗这种和其他传染病的重要步骤。正如我们在这里讨论的那样，对这些靶标的全面研究可以为内脏利什曼病的治疗提供有希望的策略。