Epidemiology of Visceral Leishmaniasis in Shebelle Zone of Somali Region, Eastern Ethiopia

Overview

Journal Parasit Vectors

Publisher Biomed Central

Specialties Parasitology
Tropical Medicine

Date 2019 May 8

PMID 31060585

Citations 9

Authors

Getachew Alebie

Amha Worku

Siele Yohannes

Befikadu Urga

Asrat Hailu

Dagimawie Tadesse

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), a vector-borne disease caused by species of the L.donovani complex, has (re)-emerged in Ethiopia during the last two decades and is currently of increasing public health concern. However, very little is known about VL epidemiology in the Somali Region of Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to provide detailed epidemiological information on seroprevalence, associated factors and incriminated vectors of VL in Shebelle Zone and Ethiopian Somali Region in general.

Methods: A cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted between March and May 2016 in Gode and Adadle districts of Shebelle Zone, Ethiopian Somali Region. Two-stage semi-random sampling was applied for selecting study participants for the field survey. The study included structured questionnaire interviews, serological assays (rK39-immunochromatographic test), ELISA and entomological surveys.

Results: From a total of 361 participants, 57 (15.8%) were seropositive for VL including 46 (12.7%) rK39 positive and 11 (3.0%) positive by both rK39 and ELISA. VL seroprevalence was higher (P < 0.001) in Adadle (31.1%) compared to Gode (12.7%) district. The VL seroprevalence rate was higher in females than in males [rK39 (17.2 vs 14.0%) and ELISA (3.4 vs 2.5%)]. Children under the 15 years of age were the most highly affected group [rK39 (20.4%) and ELISA (4.4%)]. Increased VL risk was associated with presence of termite hills, study district, outdoor sleeping, Acacia trees and domestic animals [odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 12.58 (5.911-26.763), 5.40 (2.90-10.07), 5.31 (2.283-12.364), 2.37 (1.1190-4.728) and 0.199 (0.097-0.410), respectively]. The entomological survey identified 74 Phlebotomus [P. (Larroussius) orientalis (52/74), P. (Anaphlebotomus) rodhaini (14/74), P. (Paraphlebotomus) sergenti (8/74)] and 11 Sergentomyia sand flies. The average frequency of P. orientalis (3.06 ± 0.66) collected by all traps per night was higher than that of other species. The average frequency of total and specific (P. orientalis) female sand flies was higher in Adadle (1.89 ± 0.423 vs 1.11 ± 0.309) than in Gode (0.62 ± 0.324 vs 0.38 ± 0.183) district. The highest mean numbers of total (8 ± 1.5) and P. orientalis (6 ± 0.913) sand flies were collected in termite hills.

Conclusions: The present findings revealed potential new VL-transmission foci in the study districts. Therefore, the need for parasitological and molecular characterization of the parasite in humans and vector sand flies is of paramount importance to confirm transmission.

Citing Articles

Prevalence of asymptomatic Leishmania donovani infection and associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Belay H, Abera A, Aklilu E, Bishaw T, Alemu A, Tasew G BMC Infect Dis. 2025; 25(1):78.

PMID: 39825258 PMC: 11748600. DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-10275-6.

Prevalence of human visceral leishmaniasis and its risk factors in Eastern Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Geto A, Berihun G, Berhanu L, Desye B, Daba C Front Public Health. 2024; 12():1488741.

PMID: 39659723 PMC: 11628699. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1488741.

Climate Change and Environmental Influence on Prevalence of Visceral Leishmaniasis in West Pokot County, Kenya.

Abdullahi B, Mutiso J, Maloba F, Macharia J, Riongoita M, Gicheru M J Trop Med. 2024; 2022:1441576.

PMID: 39263045 PMC: 11390187. DOI: 10.1155/2022/1441576.

Ecology and Infection Status of Sand Flies in Rural and Urban Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Endemic Areas in Northwest Ethiopia.

Jemberie W, Animut A, Dugassa S, Gebresilassie A, Melkamu R, Aklilu E Trop Med Infect Dis. 2024; 9(3).

PMID: 38535875 PMC: 10974852. DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed9030052.

Sero-prevalence of visceral leishmaniasis and its associated factors among asymptomatic individuals visiting Denan health center, southeastern Ethiopia.

Ismail A, Yared S, Dugassa S, Abera A, Animut A, Erko B Trop Dis Travel Med Vaccines. 2023; 9(1):8.

PMID: 37430336 PMC: 10334561. DOI: 10.1186/s40794-023-00196-8.

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