Abstract
BackgroundCutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease, which mainly affects poor communities. It is one of the major vector-borne disease and endemic in Pakistan.MethodsA case-control study to evaluate potential risk factors of human-CL was conducted in Khewra region, District Jhelum, Pakistan from January–April 2014. Case data about 90 cases registered during October 2012 to November 2013 was retrieved from Municipal Hospital. Controls were matched (1,1 ratio) on the date of registration with cases from same hospital. Both cases and controls were invited to participate and data was collected in a face-to-face interview. A prospective study of canine leishmaniasis (canine-CL) was also conducted at Civil Veterinary Hospital in the same area. Suspected dogs with skin ulceration signs were included in the study and blood samples were collected. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine association between various parameters and outcome of interest.ResultsThe ages of cases ranged from 1 to 76 years (median = 15 years) and proved to be protective factor i.e. increase in each year in age reduced the likelihood of being infected with human-CL [Odds Ratio (OR) = 0.4, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.25–0.76]. People sleeping outsides in an open area were more likely to become a case (OR = 8.7, 95% CI = 2.90–26.37) than a control. Poor sanitary condition inside the house (OR = 3.3, 95% CI 1.03–10.56) and presence of other animals in house (livestock, poultry) (OR = 3.6, 95% CI = 1.07–12.12) also identified as risk factors of high significance. The proportion of positive dogs with canine-CL was 21.05% and was significantly associated with human-CL cases in the same area (p < 0.05).ConclusionsWe concluded that adopting self-protections measures against sand-fly, and maintaining good hygiene may lower the risk of human-CL. One-Health Strategy is suggested to control leishmaniasis in human and dog population.
Highlights
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease, which mainly affects poor communities
Leishmaniasis can be divided into two forms based on epidemiology of disease: zoonotic which includes animal reservoir hosts in the transmission cycle of the disease, and anthroponotic, in which humans are considered to be the sole source of infection for the sand-fly vector [7]
The current study was aimed to determine the risk factors associated with human-CL that prevailed in the local environment and detection of canine-CL in dogs in Khewra region, District Jhelum
Summary
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease, which mainly affects poor communities. It is one of the major vector-borne disease and endemic in Pakistan. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease transmitted via the bite of female sand-flies belonging to the genera Phlebotomus in the Old World and Lutzomyia in the New World. It is a skin disease ranging from self-healing lesions to single or large skin ulcers and is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania [1]. Leishmaniasis can be divided into two forms based on epidemiology of disease: zoonotic which includes animal reservoir hosts in the transmission cycle of the disease, and anthroponotic, in which humans are considered to be the sole source of infection for the sand-fly vector [7]
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