No abstract

Background Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is in elimination phase in India while cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is being reported from new foci. In Himachal Pradesh (HP), a foci of CL had been reported along Satluj River, but the causative agent poses a dilemma, hence the present study was undertaken in Shimla, Kullu and Kinnaur districts. Methods A total of 28 CL patients from Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital Shimla (IGMC) in 2018, were tested by rK39., Twelve fresh cases were subjected to microscopic detection of Leishmania parasite, PCR and sequencing. Skin biopsies of 3–4 mm diameter were cultured, as well as imprints were prepared for the detection of Leishmania amastigotes. Biopsy samples were inoculated into different culture media (M199, RPMI 1640, NNN) and were incubated at 22–24 °C. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to characterize Leishmania parasite species. Results Of 28 patients, one was positive by rK39 dipstick test and one imprint was found positive for Leishmania amstigotes. Twelve biopsy DNA samples subjected to PCR for Leishmania kDNA, were found Lesihmania positive. Identification of Leishmania species was confirmed by PCR-RFLP and sequencing method. Of 12 Leishmania positive samples, six were identified as L. donovani , three L. tropica , two L.major and one remained unidentified. Conclusions This study revealed the existence of three species of parasites i.e., L. donovani, L. tropica and L. major indicating the existence of typical and atypical leishmaniasis in Himachal Pradesh. The occurrence of CL cases in HP, Kerala or elsewhere should not be ignored considering them just cases of CL alone. Further studies are warranted to confirm the existence of L.donovani zymodeme MON37 from cases of CL in HP or L.donovani zymodeme MON2 strain causing VL in Bihar. Elimination of CL should also be considered along with goal of Kala -Azar elimination.

Vector‐borne diseases (VBD) constitute 17% of all infectious diseases that pose a major public health concern around the world. In India, VBD like malaria and dengue continue to account for a significant disease burden. Management of these diseases is dependent in part upon effective vector control and hence several vector control strategies are in use for controlling mosquito populations. However, vectors evolve over time and become capable of averting many of the used control measures, leading to a constant need to find for novel and improved interventions. Attractive toxic sugar bait (ATSB) is a novel vector control strategy that is highly effective at regulating vector density in a particular area. ATSBs exploit the sugar feeding behaviour of mosquitoes. They are developed by combining small amounts of toxins with sugar. A chemical attractant is also included to lure the mosquito into the toxic sugary trap. Although effective, ATSB testing has been limited in scope around the world and ATSBs are completely unexplored in India. In this review, we provide an in‐depth account of the development of ATSBs. We highlight the potential of ATSBs in controlling major Indian vectors of malaria and dengue, and we discuss possible challenges that could affect the efficacy of ATSBs in India. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry

The present study was planned to characterize the microclimate experienced by Aedes larvae in different breeding habitats by determining the temperature variations in water kept in containers during different months under natural conditions. The study was conducted in three municipal zones of Delhi. In each site, four types of container material (plastic, cement, iron and ceramic) were chosen for recording the water temperature in the containers. Daily air and water temperatures (mean, maximum and minimum values) recorded by HOBO and Tidbit data loggers, respectively, were compared using analysis of variance and Tukey’s honest significant difference (HSD) tests. Mean monthly temperature of water varied from 16.9 to 33.0 °C in tin containers, 17.3 to 35.6°C in plastic containers, 14.3 to 28.5°C in ceramic pots, 23.3 to 30.4°C in cemented underground tanks (UGT) and 15.8 to 35.1°C in cemented overhead tanks (OHTs). Corresponding values for the air temperature ranged from 17.7 to 36.1°C. The difference between temperature of water in the containers and air temperature was highest for ceramic pots. Daily mean, maximum and minimum temperatures recorded by different data loggers differed significantly (P<0.05). When Tukey HSD test was applied for data analysis, the daily mean air temperature differed significantly from the water temperature in tin and ceramic pots as well as cemented OHTs. The temperature of water in the different breeding habitats investigated was lower than the air temperature. Moreover, actual air temperature as recorded by HOBO was higher than the temperature recorded by local weather stations. Considering the ongoing climate change, cemented UGT and earthen pots may be more productive breeding habitats for the Aedes mosquito in the near future, while plastic and cemented OHTs might no longer be suitable for Aedes breeding.

No abstract