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

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 430-441
Author(s):  
Belal Abdallah A. Adam ◽  
Moawia Mukhtar Hassan ◽  
Osman Mohammed Abd Elnour ◽  
Ahmed Hamid Awadallah

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.

2019 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 1368-1376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josiane V Lopes ◽  
Erika M Michalsky ◽  
Nathalia C L Pereira ◽  
Adão J V de Paula ◽  
Fabiana O Lara-Silva ◽  
...  

Abstract Among neglected tropical diseases, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) shows great relevance in global terms and is a serious public health concern due to the possibility of severe and lethal forms in humans. In this study, we evaluate entomological factors such as diversity and abundance of phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera:Psychodidae) and the Leishmania species circulating in these species in possible association with VL transmission in the Brazilian town Itaúna. The entomological collections were performed during three consecutive nights, always in the third week of each month, within a period of 12 mo. A total of 1,786 sand fly specimens were collected, from which 20% were collected inside houses. The influence of three local climatic variables (temperature, rainfall, relative humidity) on the population sizes of these insects was evaluated. Temperature was the most influential factor, with a significant positive correlation with the local population size of phlebotomine sand flies collected per month. Lutzomyia longipalpis (Lutz & Neiva, 1912) was the predominant species in the study area. Leishmania DNA was detected in nine out of 133 pools of sand fly females, using nested/PCR, which resulted in a minimal natural infection rate of 2.91%. DNA from Leishmania infantum Nicolle, 1908 (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatida), was detected in Evandromyia cortelezzii (Bréthes, 1923), Ev. evandroi (Costa, Lima & Antunes, 1936), Ev. lenti (Mangabeira, 1938), and Ev. termitophila (Martins, Falcão & Silva, 1964), besides Lu. longipalpis. Our study indicates favorable conditions for VL spreading in Itaúna due to the presence of Lu. longipalpis and Le. infantum-infected phlebotomine sand flies.


2009 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 67-73 ◽  
Author(s):  
Durga Datt Joshi

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


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Anik Ashfaq Khan ◽  
Khaledul Faisal ◽  
Rajashree Chowdhury ◽  
Rupen Nath ◽  
Prakash Ghosh ◽  
...  

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


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanming Chen ◽  
Huiying Chen ◽  
Feng Tao ◽  
Jingpeng Gao ◽  
Kaili Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) was one of the most important parasitic diseases in China, caused by Leishmania protozoans and transmitted by sand flies. Recently VL cases have reappeared in China, including the extension region of the Loess Plateau. The purpose of this study was to collect fundamental data on the host-vector VL system in the Loess Plateau to assist in the development of prevention and control measures.Methods Sand flies were collected by light traps from rural areas in Shanxian, Henan, China in 2015, as well as in Wuxiang and Yangquan, Shanxi, China in 2017. The blood sources of sand flies were analyzed by PCR detecting the host-specific mitochondrial cytochrome b (mtDNA Cyt b) gene fragments. Leishmania infection in sand flies was detected by amplifying and sequencing ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1). The Leishmania specific antibodies in the sera of local dogs were detected by ELISA kit. Results Blood sources showed diversity in the extension region of the Loess Plateau, including human, chicken, dog, cattle, pig and goat. Multiple blood sources within a sand fly were observed in samples from Yangquan (17/118, 14.4%) and Wuxiang (12/108, 11.1%). Leishmania DNA was detected in sand flies collected from Yangquan with minimum infection rate of 1.00%. The ITS1 sequences were conserved with the Leishmania donovani complex. The positive rate of Leishmania specific antibodies in dogs was 5.97%. Conclusions This study detected the blood sources and Leishmania parasites infection of sand flies by molecular methods in the extension region of Loess Plateau, China. A high epidemic risk of leishmaniasis is currently indicated by the results as the infection of Leishmania in sand flies, the extensive blood sources of sand flies including humans, and positive antibody of Leishmania in local dog sera. Given the recent increase of VL cases, asymptomatic patients, dogs and other potential infected animals should be screened and treated. Furthermore, the density of sand flies needs to be controlled and personal protection should be strengthened.


2016 ◽  
Vol 101 (6) ◽  
pp. 561-567 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduard E Zijlstra

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL or kala-azar) is most endemic in Asia and Africa and commonly affects young children. It is usually caused byLeishmania donovaniorLeishmania infantumthat are transmitted by Phlebotomine sand flies. Transmission may be anthroponotic or zoonotic or both, depending on the endemic area. Clinical features include fever, hepatosplenomegaly, weight loss and pancytopenia. Younger age, malnutrition and immunosuppression (HIV infection, use of immunosuppressive drugs) are risk factors. Many infections remain asymptomatic. Diagnosis is made by demonstration of theLeishmaniaparasite in aspirates of lymph node, bone marrow or spleen. Serological tests such as rK39 strip test are widely used but the sensitivity varies. qPCR is useful to detect low numbers of parasites and to monitor treatment. Treatment is with AmBisome monotherapy in most areas but with drug combinations elsewhere. HIV co-infected patients are most difficult to treat and often relapse. Control efforts focus on case finding, availability of diagnostic tools, reservoir control and protection from sand flies (insecticides, bed nets). There is no human vaccine.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Barrack O. Owino ◽  
Jackline Milkah Mwangi ◽  
Steve Kiplagat ◽  
Hannah Njiriku Mwangi ◽  
Johnstone M. Ingonga ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) are of public health concern in Merti sub-County, Kenya, but epidemiological data on transmission, vector abundance, distribution, and reservoir hosts remain limited. To better understand the disease and inform control measures to reduce transmission, we investigated the abundance and distribution of sand fly species responsible for Leishmania transmission in the sub-County and their blood-meal hosts. Methods We conducted an entomological survey in five villages with reported cases of VL in Merti sub-County, Kenya, using CDC miniature light traps and castor oil sticky papers. Sand flies were dissected and identified to the species level using standard taxonomic keys and PCR analysis of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. Leishmania parasites were detected and identified by PCR and sequencing of internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) genes. Blood-meal sources of engorged females were identified by high-resolution melting analysis of vertebrate cytochrome b (cyt-b) gene PCR products. Results We sampled 526 sand flies consisting of 8 species, Phlebotomus orientalis (1.52%; n = 8), and 7 Sergentomyia spp. Sergentomyia squamipleuris was the most abundant sand fly species (78.71%; n = 414) followed by Sergentomyia clydei (10.46%; n = 55). Leishmania major, Leishmania donovani, and Trypanosoma DNA were detected in S. squamipleuris specimens. Humans were the main sources of sand fly blood meals. However, we also detected mixed blood meals; one S. squamipleuris specimen had fed on both human and mouse (Mus musculus) blood, while two Ph. orientalis specimens fed on human, hyrax (Procavia capensis), and mouse (Mus musculus) blood. Conclusions Our findings implicate the potential involvement of S. squamipleuris in the transmission of Leishmania and question the dogma that human leishmaniases in the Old World are exclusively transmitted by sand flies of the Phlebotomus genus. The presence of Trypanosoma spp. may indicate mechanical transmission, whose efficiency should be investigated. Host preference analysis revealed the possibility of zoonotic transmission of leishmaniasis and other pathogens in the sub-County. Leishmania major and L. donovani are known to cause ZCL and VL, respectively. However, the reservoir status of the parasites is not uniform. Further studies are needed to determine the reservoir hosts of Leishmania spp. in the area.


Author(s):  
M. A. Hossen

Background: Leishmaniasis is primarily caused by two species of Leishmania (L. donovani and L. infantum) of which clinical infection with L. infantum has been recognized in both humans and dogs as zoonotic disease with dogs as the main reservoir hosts in the Mediterranean, the Middle East, Asia and South America. Although L. donovani has been associated with both clinical and asymptomatic infection in humans but it is still associated with asymptomatic infection in dogs in Indian sub-continent without any evidence of zoonotic infection. Objectives: The objective of this research was to investigate the potentiality of dog as reservoir host for visceral leishmaniasis in the human leishmaniasis endemic regions in Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 20 stray dogs in the human VL endemic areas of Mymensingh district were captured for the detection VL during the period of November 2010 to May 2011. The dipstick test rK39 (Bios International; n = 20), Giemsa’s stained impression smears of liver and spleen (n = 6) and PCR with the tissue of liver and spleen (n = 6) were tested as per manufacturer instructions and conventional standard methods. Results: Out of 20 stray dogs examined, 4 (20.0%) were positive for L. donovani infection with rK39 strip test. Of the six randomly selected dogs tested with Modified Giemsa’s stained of impression smears of spleen and liver showed 2 (33.33%) positive whereas PCR technique detected 5 (83.33%) positive for L. donovani. Results of PCR showed 145bp amplicon, specific for L. donovani infection in 83.33% stray dogs. Conclusions: This study reveals that a high percentage of L. donovani asymptomatic carrier infections occur in dogs and evidence indicates that dogs and humans may potentially serve as a source of infection to sand fly vectors and accordingly dogs can be recognized as a probable animal reservoir for the Leishmania infection in the endemic region in Bangladesh. However, further studies are required to determine the ability of dogs to transmit the L. donovani to the vector sand fly in nature and its evidence on ‘One Health’ perspectives. Keywords: Visceral leishmaniasis, Endemic region, Stray dogs, rK39 strip test, Giemsa’s stained liver and spleen impression smears, PCR, Reservoir host, Mymensingh


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 205031212110367
Author(s):  
Berhanu Tarekegn ◽  
Ayanaw Tamene

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis is a vector-borne disease caused by Leishmania donovani transmitted by sand fly species. It is the third most common vector-borne disease globally. Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in Ethiopia with an estimated annual incidence ranging from 3700 to 7400 cases. This research aimed to assess the clinical presentations and laboratory profiles of visceral leishmaniasis for early diagnosis and timely initiation of management. Objective: To describe the clinical and laboratory manifestation and diagnostic modalities of visceral leishmaniasis among adult patients admitted to Felege Hiwot Hospital, from 1 September 2016 to 30 August 2019. Method: Institution-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 141 patients admitted to Felege Hiwot Hospital from 1 September 2016 to 30 August 2019. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the clinical presentation and laboratory profiles of patients with visceral leishmaniasis. Results: Among a total of 141 enrolled patients in the study, males were affected 13-fold. Most of them were travelers to endemic areas during the winter season for labor work. The mean duration of illness was 48 days. Common symptoms were fever (96.5%), weightless (82.5%), jaundice (18.4%), vomiting/diarrhea (13.5%), and bleeding episodes (11.3%). Splenomegaly was seen in 98.6%, ascites in 35.5%, and lymphadenopathy in 9.9%. Lymphadenopathy was seen significantly in HIV patients (40%). Anemia was seen in 95%, thrombocytopenia in 90.2%, leukopenia in 86.4%, and pancytopenia in 79.4%. Half of the patients had coinfection. Neutropenic sepsis was seen in 21.3%. The diagnosis was made by tissue aspiration in 65% of patients. Conclusion: The majority of patients who were diagnosed to have visceral leishmaniasis were young male adults who traveled to the endemic areas seasonally. Fever and splenomegaly were seen as the commonest clinical presentation. Lymphadenopathy occurred in high frequency among HIV co-infected patients. Anemia was the commonest hematologic finding.


F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 1371
Author(s):  
Leyli Zanjirani Farahani ◽  
Abedin Saghafipour ◽  
Mehdi Mohebali ◽  
Behnaz Akhoundi ◽  
Hedayatollah Raufi

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (7) ◽  
pp. 549-552
Author(s):  
Suman Saurabh ◽  
Ravindra Kumar Yadav

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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