Prevalence of asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis in human and dog, Benishangul Gumuz regional state, Western Ethiopia

Abstract

Background The Benishangul-Gumuz region is an important development corridor in Ethiopia. Large-scale projects such as the Great Renaissance Dam, mining and agriculture have entailed huge environmental modifications and settlement pattern changes. There is no detailed epidemiological information on visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the region. Materials and methods A cross-sectional study was carried out to assess the epidemiology and risk factors associated with Leishmania infection. A leishmanin skin test (LST) was done for 1342 participants, and for 253 of them rK39 and DAT were carried out. Thirty-six dogs owned by households with LST-positive member(s) were rK39 and DAT tested. A pretested questionnaire was used to capture individual and household characteristics. Results Of the 89.2% (1197/1342) who availed themselves of the LST reading, 6.0% were positive. The rk39 and DAT positivity among the 253 tested were 3.2% and 5.9%, respectively. In dogs, positivity rates by rK39 and DAT were 13.9% and 5.6%, respectively. Of the household and individual risk factors, presence of a dog in the household (P = 0.005), male sex (0.003), residence woreda (0.000) and occupation (0.023) showed a strong positive association with LST positivity. Individuals who lived in households that had dogs were 2.6 times more likely to be LST positive (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI = 1.54, 4.40). Being female decreased the probability of being LST positive by 0.38 times (AOR = 0.38; 95% CI = 0.20, 0.72). People living in Guba and Kurmuk had 4.7 (AOR = 4.74, 95% CI 1.83, 12.31) and 5.9 (AOR = 5.85, 95% CI 2.27, 15.09) times more risk of being infected. Conclusions We demonstrated the presence of active VL transmission in the areas. Thus, we underline the need to establish the responsible vector(s) and reservoir(s) for comprehensive early containment plans to prevent potentially harmful public health and economic consequences.

Seroprevalence of visceral leishmaniasis and its associated factors among asymptomatic pastoral community of Dire District, Borena zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

“…Similar results are reported from studies conducted in Benishangul Gumz (6.9%) ( 28 ), Tigray (8.8%) ( 29 ), the Gode district of Shebel zone of the Somali region (12.7%) ( 30 ), and the west Armachiho district (7.6%) ( 26 ). However, these results were higher than those reported in previous studies conducted in the Benishangul-Gumz (3.2%) ( 25 ) and Raya Azebo district of northeastern Ethiopia (0.87%) ( 31 ). However, they were less when compared to reports from Adadile district (31.1%) ( 30 ), Addis Zemen North West Ethiopia (39.1%) (22), and SNNPR (36.0.4%) ( 32 ).…”

“…During sample collection, each participant's finger was cleaned using alcohol and cotton. A single finger prick blood specimen (8–12 μL) was collected and added to the absorbent pad well with 150 μl (2–3 drops) of the chase buffer provided with the kit ( 25 , 26 ). Following the manufacturer's instructions, a serological diagnosis of L. donovani complex was then performed by using the rk39 ICT (IT LEISH, Bio-Rad, France) ( 27 ).…”

High seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum infection in dogs and its associated risk factors in selected towns of Southwest and West Shewa zones of Oromia, Ethiopia

“…The study provided baseline data on seroprevalence and risk factors of CVL infection and suggests the need for similar studies in other regions of the country to have a comprehensive status of the infection in animals and humans as well. This is essential since VL (Bashaye et al., 2009 ; Bejano et al., 2021 ; Bsrat et al., 2018 ; Kebede, 2017 ; Kenubih et al., 2015 ) and CL (WHO, 2014a ; Yohannes et al., 2019 ) are wide spread public health problems predominantly in the lowland and highland parts of Ethiopia, respectively.…”

“…The highest seroprevalence was found in Ejaji town (137/146, 93.84%), followed by Weliso (87/109, 79.82%) and Ambo (86/109, 76.11%). Canine leishmaniasis seroprevalence of 13.9% in Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Ethiopia (Bejano et al., 2021 ), 40% in dogs in North West Ethiopia (Kenubih et al., 2015 ), 6.9% in domesticated dogs in Eastern Sudan (Hassan et al., 2009 ), 11.7% in stray dogs, 9.7% in National Guard dogs, and 5.9% in farm dogs in Algeria (Adel et al., 2016 ) were significantly lower than the current study findings.…”

“…Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. aethiopica is widely distributed throughout the highland areas, whereas visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by L. donovani species complex is found in lowland to midland areas (FDRE, 2013 ). Although the transmission of L. donovani was generally considered anthroponotic, recent shreds of evidence show the detection of the parasite and its vector in domestic dogs in Ethiopia (Bashaye et al., 2009 ; Bejano et al., 2021 ; Bsrat et al., 2018 ).…”