Leishmaniasis in The Gambia. 2. A study of possible vectors and animal reservoirs, with the first report of a case of canine leishmaniasis in The Gambia.
Following the detection of two cases of leishmaniasis in The Gambia, the possible vectors and animal reservoirs were studied. A total of 5, 158 phlebotomine sandflies, in 20 species and subspecies were captured, including 98 males and 61 females of Phlebotomus duboscqi. This species is a vector of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Senegal and must be suspected as a vector in The Gambia; it was captured close to the dwellings of both patients and from rodent burrows, including those of Mastomys erythroleucus, a known reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Senegal. We report the first finding in The Gambia of visceral leishmaniasis in a dog captured near the house of the patient with visceral leishmaniasis. This strongly suggests that dogs could be a reservoir of this infection in this area. The vector was not determined.
D000818:Animals; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000635:transmission*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005714:Gambia; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors; D007891:Leishmania; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000635:transmission*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D009115:Muridae / Q000469:parasitology; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000469:parasitology; D051381:Rats