Risk Factors for Kala-azar in Bangladesh

Overview

Journal Emerg Infect Dis

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2005 May 14

PMID 15890115

Citations 81

Authors

Caryn Bern

Allen W Hightower

Rajib Chowdhury

Mustakim Ali

Josef Amann

Yukiko Wagatsuma

Rashidul Haque

Katie Kurkjian

Louise E Vaz

Moarrita Begum

Tangin Akter

Catherine B Cetre-Sossah

Indu B Ahluwalia

Ellen Dotson

W Evan Secor

Robert F Breiman

James H Maguire

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Since 1990, South Asia has experienced a resurgence of kala-azar (visceral leishmaniasis). To determine risk factors for kala-azar, we performed cross-sectional surveys over a 3-year period in a Bangladeshi community. By history, active case detection, and serologic screening, 155 of 2,356 residents had kala-azar with onset from 2000 to 2003. Risk was highest for persons 3-45 years of age, and no significant difference by sex was seen. In age-adjusted multivariable models, 3 factors were identified: proximity to a previous kala-azar patient (odds ratio [OR] 25.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 15-44 within household; OR 3.2 95% CI 1.7-6.1 within 50 m), bed net use in summer (OR 0.7, 95% CI 0.53-0.93), and cattle per 1,000 m2 (OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.70-0.94]). No difference was seen by income, education, or occupation; land ownership or other assets; housing materials and condition; or keeping goats or chickens inside bedrooms. Our data confirm strong clustering and suggest that insecticide-treated nets could be effective in preventing kala-azar.

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