Endemic transmission of visceral leishmaniasis in Bhutan

Visceral leishmaniasis was first reported in Bhutan in 2006. We conducted studies of the parasite, possible vectors and reservoirs, and leishmanin skin test and risk factor surveys in three villages. Nineteen cases were reported from seven districts. Parasite typing yielded two novel microsatellite...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Yangzom, Thinley, Cruz, Israel, Bern, Caryn, Argaw, Daniel, den Boer, Margriet, Vélez, Iván Dario, Bhattacharya, Sujit K, Molina, Ricardo, Alvar, Jorge
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2012
País:España
Institución:Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII)
Repositorio:Repisalud
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:repisalud.isciii.es:20.500.12105/8562
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12105/8562
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Adolescent
Adult
Base Sequence
Bhutan
DNA, Intergenic
DNA, Protozoan
Endemic Diseases
Female
Humans
Leishmania donovani
Leishmania infantum
Leishmaniasis, Visceral
Male
Middle Aged
Phylogeny
Young Adult
Descripción
Sumario:Visceral leishmaniasis was first reported in Bhutan in 2006. We conducted studies of the parasite, possible vectors and reservoirs, and leishmanin skin test and risk factor surveys in three villages. Nineteen cases were reported from seven districts. Parasite typing yielded two novel microsatellite sequences, both related to Indian L. donovani. In one case village, 40 (18.5%) of 216 participants had positive leishmanin skin test results, compared with 3 (4.2%) of 72 in the other case village and 0 of 108 in the control village. Positive results were strongly associated with the village and increasing age. None of the tested dogs were infected. Eighteen sand flies were collected, 13 Phlebotomus species and 5 Sergentomyia species; polymerase chain reaction for leishmanial DNA was negative. This assessment suggests that endemic visceral leishmaniasis transmission has occurred in diverse locations in Bhutan. Surveillance, case investigations, and further parasite, vector, and reservoir studies are needed. The potential protective impact of bed nets should be evaluated.