Leishmaniases survey in the Awash Valley: leishmanin skin test profile in the Upper Awash and surrounding areas.
The occurrence of leishmanial infection in the Upper Awash and the surrounding areas was assessed in a survey conducted between December 1994 to March 1995, employing a cross-sectional leishmanin skin test. Out of the 803 study subjects skin tested, 775 (97%) returned for the reading of the reaction. The rate of leishmanin positivity in 10 representative study sites ranged from 16% to 65% with the over all prevalence of 33% in the study area. Prevalence of leishmanin positive skin test increased with age in male sex (40%) and in the indigenous Afars (60%), a profile suggesting a particular form of outdoor exposure to transmission. The difference in leishmanin positivity by study sites, sex and ethnic background were all statistically significant (X2 = 72.9; P < 0.001, X2 = 16.2; P < 0.001 and X2 = 62.8; P < 0.001 respectively). The current status of overt leishmanial disease in the area and the implication of the skin test findings are discussed.
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Institute of Pathobiology, A.A. University, Addis Ababa.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000379:methods*
D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; C032127:leishmanin