A cross-sectional study of the filarial and Leishmania co-endemicity in two ecologically distinct settings in Mali

Abstract

BackgroundFilariasis and leishmaniasis are two neglected tropical diseases in Mali. Due to distribution and associated clinical features, both diseases are of concern to public health. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of co-infection with filarial (Wuchereria bancrofti and Mansonella perstans) and Leishmania major parasites in two ecologically distinct areas of Mali, the Kolokani district (villages of Tieneguebougou and Bougoudiana) in North Sudan Savanna area, and the district of Kolondieba (village of Boundioba) in the South Sudan Savanna area.MethodsThe prevalence of co-infection (filarial and Leishmania) was measured based on (i) Mansonella perstans microfilaremia count and/or filariasis immunochromatographic test (ICT) for Wuchereria bancrofti-specific circulating antigen, and (ii) the prevalence of delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to Leishmania measured by leishmanin skin test (LST).ResultsIn this study, a total of 930 volunteers between the age of 18 and 65 were included from the two endemic areas of Kolokani and Kolondieba. In general, in both areas, filarial infection was more prevalent than Leishmania infection with an overall prevalence of 15.27% (142/930) including 8.7% (81/930) for Mansonella perstans and 8% (74/930) for Wuchereria bancrofti-specific circulating antigen. The prevalence of Leishmania major infection was 7.7% (72/930) and was significantly higher in Tieneguebougou and Bougoudiana (15.05%; 64/425) than in Boundioba (2.04%; 8/505) (χ2 = 58.66, P < 0.0001). Among the filarial infected population, nearly 10% (14/142) were also positive for Leishmania with an overall prevalence of co-infection of 1.50% (14/930) varying from 2.82% (12/425) in Tieneguebougou and Bougoudiana to 0.39% (2/505) in Boundioba (P = 0.0048).ConclusionThis study established the existence of co-endemicity of filarial and Leishmania infections in specific regions of Mali. Since both filarial and Leishmania infections are vector-borne with mosquitoes and sand flies as respective vectors, an integrated vector control approach should be considered in co-endemic areas. The effect of potential interaction between filarial and Leishmania parasites on the disease outcomes may be further studied.

First study on microscopic and molecular detection of Acanthocheilonema reconditum and Leishmania infantum coinfection in dogs in Southwest Colombia

“…However, amplification of COX1 ruled out the possibility of infection or coinfection with D. immitis, D. repens, or Cercopithifilaria spp. Meanwhile, studies have revealed polyparasitism coinfection of W. bancrofti and L. donovani [4], W. bancrofti and M. perstans with malaria and L. major [60,61], as well as D. immitis, D. repens, A. dracunculoides, and L. infantum [6,7]. This agrees with our results since all dogs found to be positive by microscopy were positive for L. infantum through the amplification of a highly conserved C region of the hsp70 gene with six or seven hsp70-I copies and one hsp70-II copy [62,63] (Figure -4).…”

Wuchereria bancrofti infection is associated with progression to clinical visceral leishmaniasis in VL- endemic areas in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, India

“…Evidence for a sequential relationship between LF or VL infection and development of clinical disease has previously not been shown, likewise the role of co-infection in disease pathology is not well understood. A study from Mali addressing the prevalence of filaria (by W. bancrofti immunochromatographic test (ICT)) and Leishmania infection (Leishmania skin test (LST) reaction to L. major infection) found slightly higher prevalence of LST positive reactions in ICT positive individuals [46]. While this study was too PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES small to draw definitive conclusions, it, in line with the data presented here, suggest that further investigation on the role filarial co-infections have on concomitant diseases is warranted.…”

Harnessing Immune Evasion Strategy of Lymphatic Filariae: A Therapeutic Approach against Inflammatory and Infective Pathology

“…The prevalence of filarial and leishmanial co-infections has been reported in some parts of the world [108]. In the co-infected mouse model, local immune responses to filarial and leishmanial infections were polarized and compartmentalized [109].…”