Ecology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sinai: linking parasites, vectors and hosts

Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2014 Jun;109(3):299-306. doi: 10.1590/0074-0276130426. Epub 2014 May 7.

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected clinical form of public health importance that is quite prevalent in the northern and eastern parts of Egypt. A comprehensive study over seven years (January 2005-December 2011) was conducted to track CL transmission with respect to both sandfly vectors and animal reservoirs. The study identified six sandfly species collected from different districts in North Sinai: Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus kazeruni, Phlebotomus sergenti, Phlebotomus alexandri, Sergentomyia antennata and Sergentomyia clydei. Leishmania (-)-like flagellates were identified in 15 P. papatasi individuals (0.5% of 3,008 dissected females). Rodent populations were sampled in the same districts where sandflies were collected and eight species were identified: Rattus norvegicus (n = 39), Rattus rattus frugivorous (n = 13), Rattus rattus alexandrinus (n = 4), Gerbillus pyramidum floweri (n = 38), Gerbillus andersoni (n = 28), Mus musculus (n = 5), Meriones sacramenti (n = 22) and Meriones crassus (n = 10). Thirty-two rodents were found to be positive for Leishmania infection (20.12% of 159 examined rodents). Only Leishmania major was isolated and identified in 100% of the parasite samples. The diversity of both the vector and rodent populations was examined using diversity indices and clustering approaches.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Disease Reservoirs / classification
  • Disease Reservoirs / parasitology*
  • Ecosystem*
  • Egypt
  • Female
  • Insect Vectors / classification
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / transmission*
  • Male
  • Psychodidae / classification
  • Psychodidae / parasitology*
  • Rodentia / classification
  • Rodentia / parasitology*