Canine visceral leishmaniosis is a life-threatening disease caused by Leishmania infantum. For quite some time, specialists in leishmaniosis have tried to develop more affordable and effective control measures against this disease. In this search, the first vaccine against canine visceral leishmaniosis was recently licensed in Brazil. In the light of recent research, the Leishmune (R) vaccine might be seen as the newest tool for prevention and control of canine visceral leishmaniosis. Moreover, the potential of the Leishmune (R) as a transmission-blocking vaccine has recently been demonstrated, indicating its usefulness in the control of 66 zoonotic visceral leishmaniosis. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.