Studies on sand fly fauna and ecological analysis of Phlebotomus orientalis in the highland and lowland foci of kala-azar in northwestern Ethiopia

Kala-azar is a parasitic disease that was endemic in India, parts of Africa and China. During the first half of the twentieth century, developing means of treatment and identification of the host and transmission vectors for this deadly disease would be the subject of transnational research and controversy. In the formative period for this research, two Canadian Medical missionaries, Drs. Jean Dow and Ernest Struthers, pioneered work on Kala-azar in the North Henan Mission. The great international prestige of the London School of Tropical Medicine and the Indian Medical Service would stand against recognition of the clinical discoveries of missionary doctors in remote North Henan. It was only after Struthers forged personal relations with Dr. Lionel. E. Napier and his colleagues at the Calcutta School of Tropical Medicine that there was a meeting of minds to promote the hypothesis that the sand fly was the transmission vector.

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Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in Qom Province, Iran: Report of two cases

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.15805.1 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 1371

Author(s):

Leyli Zanjirani Farahani ◽

Abedin Saghafipour ◽

Mehdi Mohebali ◽

Behnaz Akhoundi ◽

Hedayatollah Raufi

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Recurrent Fever ◽

Kala Azar ◽

Periodic Monitoring ◽

History Of ◽

The Common

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal parasitic zoonotic worldwide disease, which transmits to humans by the infected Phlebotomine sand fly bite. The common form of VL in Iran is the Mediterranean type with the causative agent of Leishmania infantum, whose main reservoirs are stray and domesticated dogs. The disease has several endemic foci in Iran, mostly seen among children under the age of 10, living in rural areas and nomadic tribes. The first cases of Kala-Azar in Qom province, central Iran, were reported in the year 2001, from the villages of Ghahan district. After conducting VL control strategies in the area, no new cases of the disease had been reported until recently. The cases described here are two 2-year-old girls, living in the urban parts of Qom province, one of whom did not have a history of traveling to known endemic areas of the disease. The patients were admitted to hospital in 2016-2017, complaining from recurrent fever with unrecognized reason, associated with decreased appetite and weight loss. Disease follow-up demonstrated anemia and splenomegaly, which led to diagnosis of VL, and both patients are now fully recovered. VL was presumed to be controlled in Qom province but the present cases indicate that possible VL existence remains in the region. Therefore, urgent studies and periodic monitoring are needed to identify potential reservoirs of VL in the area.

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Kala-azar Burden in Bangladesh- An Overview

Community Based Medical Journal ◽

10.3329/cbmj.v9i1.56771 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 43-50

Author(s):

Santana Rani Sarkar ◽

Nitai Chandra Ray ◽

Md Rashedul Kabir

Keyword(s):

Signs And Symptoms ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

Eradication Programme ◽

Internal Organs ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Kala Azar ◽

Rapid Tests ◽

Diagnostic Modalities ◽

Third Line

Kala-azar is one of the major public health problems in Bangladesh and the disease is endemic for many decades. In SEA Region, VL is reported from 109 contiguous districts bordering Bangladesh, India and Nepal. Approx. 147 million people at risk in these three countries with an estimated 50,000 new cases each year. Kala-azar or Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by protozoan parasites of the Leishmania genus. It is transmitted by the sand fly named Phlebotomus argentipes and affects largely the socially marginalized and the poorest communities. The parasite migrates to the internal organs such as liver, spleen and bone marrow and if left untreated, will almost always result in the death of the host. Signs and symptoms include fever, weight loss, fatigue, anemia, and substantial swelling of the spleen and occasionally liver. In Bangladesh, kala-azar cases were reported from 45 of 64 districts, >90% of cases were reported from just 10 districts. Mymensingh accounted for more than 50% of the total kala-azar cases reported in Bangladesh. Research in recent years has demonstrated the utility of non-invasive diagnostic modalities such as the direct agglutination test and rapid tests based on the immune response to the rK39 antigen. Primary kala-azar now can be easily recognized and effective treatment is available. Clinical trials in Bangladesh have reported encouraging results with amphotericin B (recommended as a third-line drug by the National Malaria Eradication Programme). Until a safe and effective vaccine is developed, a combination of sandfly control, detection and treatment of patients and prevention of drug resistance is the best approach for controlling kala-azar. CBMJ 2020 January: Vol. 09 No. 01 P: 43-50

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Recalibration of insecticide-measuring containers could prevent underdosing of insecticide during indoor residual spraying for visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) elimination in India

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.1093/trstmh/traa026 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 114 (7) ◽

pp. 549-552

Author(s):

Suman Saurabh ◽

Ravindra Kumar Yadav

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Vector Control ◽

Indoor Residual Spraying ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Kala Azar ◽

Elimination Programme

Abstract Background The visceral leishmaniasis (kala-azar) elimination programme in India relies on indoor residual spraying (IRS) for sand-fly vector control. Insecticide supplied by a new manufacturer was introduced for IRS in 2019. We aimed to explore whether this led to a change in insecticide quantity being used in the field. Methods We compared measurements of weights of 250 mL of insecticide powder of two different manufacturers using a certified and calibrated weighing instrument. Results The density of insecticide supplied in 2019 was 43.4% lower than that in 2018, thereby leading to underdosing during current IRS activity. Conclusions Insecticide-measuring containers should be recalibrated prior to every IRS round and also when an insecticide manufacturer changes, so that the insecticide dose is maintained within the recommended range.

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Understanding sand fly sampling methods: sticky traps are attraction-based and not interceptive sampling tools of Phlebotomus orientalis

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-020-04249-1 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Dia-Eldin Elnaiem ◽

Altayeb Khogali ◽

Bashir Alsharif ◽

Osman Dakein ◽

Tayseer Jibreel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sampling Methods ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Sticky Traps ◽

Phlebotomus Orientalis

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Study of Visceral Leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in Children of Nepal

Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society ◽

10.3126/jnps.v29i2.2041 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 29 (2) ◽

pp. 67-73 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Durga Datt Joshi

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Donovani ◽

Research Work ◽

Case Fatality ◽

Zoonotic Disease ◽

Morbidity And Mortality ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Epidemiological Surveillance ◽

Mortality Data ◽

Kala Azar

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is a potentially fatal vector-borne (sand fly phlebotomies spp) zoonotic disease caused by a protozoan parasite, Leishmania donovani. In Nepal, the disease is restricted to the Eastern Terai region which lies adjacent to the Bihar state of India. Although leishmaniasis is regarded as a significant health problem in Nepal by the Ministry of Health, there is no active case detection programme in the country. Objective: Objectives of this study were to determine the up-to-date morbidity and mortality trend for VL in children of Nepal. Method: The epidemiological surveillance team from the NZFHRC visited to eight zonal hospitals in Terai region during the month from September to December of each year 2003 to 2007. The morbidity and mortality data up to the year 2007 were collected every year. The team has also collected 66 blood serum samples of which 18 samples from children were collected for the diagnosis. Results: A total 25890 cases with 599 deaths were reported during the year 1980-2006. The case fatality rate (CFR) varied from 0.23% to 13.2%. Districtwise analysis showed that, during 2003, highest incidence was in Mahottari district (184/100,000), followed by Sarlahi (100/100,000) and Sunsari (96/100,000). The highest CFR was in Dhanusha (2.9%) followed by Bara (2.4%) and Saptari (2.0%). Majority (70.9%) of persons affected by VL were aged 15 years and above, followed by 10-14 years (13.9%), 5-9 years (11.9%) and 1-4 years (3.3%). VL cases recorded from different district of Nepal for the year 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 are recorded. CFR for the year 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 were 3.2%, 3.7%, 16.67% and 11.42% respectively. Conclusions: There should be regular surveillance research work to be carried out in endemic area. Mass public health education, to make the people aware about preventive aspects of the disease is important. The possibility of the existence of animal reservoirs as zoonotic disease should also be considered. This disease is very much serious in children below 15 years of age both in male and female, therefore it is essential to have paediatrician post at least in all VL six endemic districts. Key words: Epidemiology, Leishmaniasis, Kala-azar, Sandfly doi: 10.3126/jnps.v29i2.2041 J. Nepal Paediatr. Soc. Vol 29, No. 2, pp.67-73

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Evaluation of molecular assays to detect Leishmania donovani in Phlebotomus argentipes fed on post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis patients

Parasites & Vectors ◽

10.1186/s13071-021-04961-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Md Anik Ashfaq Khan ◽

Khaledul Faisal ◽

Rajashree Chowdhury ◽

Rupen Nath ◽

Prakash Ghosh ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Leishmania Donovani ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Reference Method ◽

Critical Factor ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Accurate Estimation ◽

Limiting Factor ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Real Time Quantitative Pcr ◽

Kala Azar

Abstract Background Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) caused by Leishmania donovani (LD) is a skin disorder that often appears after treatment of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients. PKDL patients are potential reservoirs of LD parasites, which can initiate a new epidemic of anthroponotic VL. Therefore, host infectiousness to its sand fly vector is a critical factor for transmission, and its accurate estimation can facilitate control strategies. At present, conventional microscopy serves as the reference method to detect parasites in its vector. However, low sensitivity of microscopy can be a limiting factor. Methods In this study, real-time quantitative PCR (LD-qPCR) and recombinase polymerase amplification (LD-RPA) assays were evaluated against microscopy for the detection of LD DNA extracted from live sand flies five days after controlled feeding on PKDL cases. Results The sensitivity of LD-qPCR and LD-RPA assays were found to be 96.43 and 100%, respectively, against microscopy for the selected fed sand flies (n = 28), and an absolute specificity of both molecular tools for apparently unfed sand flies (n = 30). While the proportion of infectious cases among 47 PKDL patients was estimated as 46.81% as defined by microscopic detection of LD in at least one fed sand fly per case, LD-RPA assay evaluation of only the microscopy negative sand flies fed to those 47 PKDL cases estimated an even greater proportion of infectious cases (51.06%). In overall estimation of the infectious cases in retrospective manner, discordance in positivity rate was observed (p < 0.05) between LD-RPA (59.57%) assay and microscopy (46.81%), while LD-RPA had slightly better positivity rate than LD-qPCR (55.32%) as well. Conclusions Considering the sensitivity, cost, detection time, and field applicability, RPA assay can be considered as a promising single molecular detection tool for investigations pertaining to LD infections in sand flies and/or host infectiousness in PKDL, while it can also be useful in confirmation of microscopy negative sand fly samples. Graphical abstract

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INVESTIGATION OF LEISHMANIASIS VECTORS IN EL-KADOBA VILLAGE, WHITE NILE STATE, SUDAN

International Journal of Research -GRANTHAALAYAH ◽

10.29121/granthaalayah.v5.i1.2017.1938 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 430-441

Author(s):

Belal Abdallah A. Adam ◽

Moawia Mukhtar Hassan ◽

Osman Mohammed Abd Elnour ◽

Ahmed Hamid Awadallah

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Leishmania Donovani ◽

Morphological Characters ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Leishmania Infection ◽

Sand Flies ◽

Kala Azar ◽

Ecological Aspects ◽

Binocular Microscope ◽

White Nile

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL; kala-azar) is one of the most important parasitic tropical diseases in Sudan and the Sudan is considered to be one of the most important foci in the world. The visceral leishmaniasis has been described in Sudan since the beginning of the twentieth century. In Sudan, VL is caused by Leishmania donovani complex: MON 18, MON 30 and MON 82 zymodemes and The proven vector is Phlebotomus (Larroussius) orientalis, in this study a survey was carried out to identify the principal vector of VL based on Leishmania infection, morphological characters and to determine some ecological aspects of the sand flies prevalent in the area . Ten species of sand flies were recorded, three Phlebotomus species and seven Sergentomyia species of these sandflies, P. rodhaini was collected only from Acacia seyal/Balanities aegyptiaca at the Island whereas S. hunti was collected from the Acacia nilotica forest only of the total collections, P. orientalis representing 3.80% (248 specimens) of the total collection and P. papatasi were 3.11% of the collection. Sand flies identification was done under a binocular microscope at 40x (magnification). The main features used for sand flies identification were the sperm theca of the female, the termination of the male and the pharyngeal and the ciboria toothed structures of both sexes. According to results of this study we recommended the following: more studies are needed in the future to determine the transmission season, and infection rates of Leishmania parasites in human and the animal host in this area. Annually Entomological surveys must be done to determine density of Sand fly Vectors and Encourage the use of personal protection tools (ITNs), repellents, and improving of houses to avoid bite of sand fly.

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Visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-azar) in Qom Province, Iran: Report of two cases

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.15805.3 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

pp. 1371 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Leyli Zanjirani Farahani ◽

Abedin Saghafipour ◽

Mehdi Mohebali ◽

Behnaz Akhoundi ◽

Hedayatollah Raufi

Keyword(s):

Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Sand Fly ◽

Recurrent Fever ◽

Kala Azar ◽

Periodic Monitoring ◽

History Of ◽

The Common

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a fatal parasitic zoonotic worldwide disease, which transmits to humans by the infected Phlebotomine sand fly bite. The common form of VL in Iran is the Mediterranean type with the causative agent of Leishmania infantum, whose main reservoirs are stray and domesticated dogs. The disease has several endemic foci in Iran, mostly seen among children under the age of 10, living in rural areas and nomadic tribes. The first cases of Kala-Azar in Qom province, central Iran, were reported in the year 2001, from the villages of Ghahan district. After conducting VL control strategies in the area, no new cases of the disease had been reported until recently. The cases described here are two 2-year-old girls, living in the urban parts of Qom province, one of whom did not have a history of traveling to known endemic areas of the disease. The patients were admitted to hospital in 2016-2017, complaining from recurrent fever with unrecognized reason, associated with decreased appetite and weight loss. Disease follow-up demonstrated anemia and splenomegaly, which led to diagnosis of VL, and both patients are now fully recovered. VL was presumed to be controlled in Qom province but the present cases indicate that possible VL existence remains in the region. Therefore, urgent studies and periodic monitoring are needed to identify potential reservoirs of VL in the area.

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