Study of house-level risk factors associated in the transmission of Indian Kala-azar.

Shreekant Kesari,Pradeep Das,Alok Ranjan,Algarswamy Jeyaram,Gouri Sankar Bhunia,Vijay Kumar

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-3-94

Abstract

BackgroundIn visceral leishmaniasis (VL), phlebotomine vectors are the main target to reduce for control measures. An attempt has been taken to delineate the association between Phlebotomous argentipes and housing characteristics between two districts e.g. endemic and non-endemic.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted on 240 households for both the endemic (Vaishali district) and non-endemic (Lohardaga district) site. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors related to housing characteristics influencing suitable habitats for P. argentipes. Vector density estimated using a CDC light trap.ResultsThe proportion of P. argentipes in both endemic and non-endemic areas was significantly much higher (P < 0.001) when compared with the proportion of Sergentomiya and P. papatasi. The results of multilevel logistic regression analysis showed that mud plastered wall (P value = 0.001), mixed dwelling (P value = 0.002) and area (P value = 0.001) were strongly associated with the presence of vectors.ConclusionResult of the studied household characteristics provides an accurate, rapid assessment of house-level variation in risk. The results also have implications for maximizing surveillance efficacy of sandflies, which is likely to become increasingly important while formulating any control strategy.

Highlights

In visceral leishmaniasis (VL), phlebotomine vectors are the main target to reduce for control measures
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is a serious public health problem and has worldwide distribution. It is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite of genus Leishmania, which is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies
This study provides an opportunity to measure the association between the characteristics of individual houses over the endemic and non-endemic region of Kala-azar, and risk of infestation with P. argentipes

Summary

Introduction

In visceral leishmaniasis (VL), phlebotomine vectors are the main target to reduce for control measures. Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is a serious public health problem and has worldwide distribution. It is caused by the intracellular protozoan parasite of genus Leishmania, which is transmitted by phlebotomine sandflies. High incidence of VL in India is reported during the monsoon & post monsoon season [3]; these coincide with vector presence and a high proportion of the parous vector. It indicates an increase man-vector contact during warmer part of the year [4]

Methods

Results

Conclusion