Spatial clustering and epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in two endemic villages, Baringo District, Kenya.
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) seroprevalence in Kenya is unknown because of the lack of a practical and accurate diagnostic test or surveillance system. A novel serological assay was used to estimate the seroprevalence of Leishmania-specific antibodies, and Global Information System and spatial clustering techniques were applied to study the presence of spatial clusters in Parkarin and Loboi villages in Baringo District in 2001. VL seroprevalences were 52.5% in Parkarin and 16.9% in Loboi. Significant associations among seropositivity and house construction, age, and proximity to domestic animal enclosures were found. A significant spatial cluster of VL was found in Loboi. The spatial distribution of cases in the two villages was different with respect to risk factors, such as presence of domestic animals. This study suggests that disease control efforts could be focused on elimination of sand fly habitat, placement of domestic animal enclosures, and targeted use of insecticides.
Department of Entomology, Division of Communicable Diseases and Immunology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.
Jeffrey R
JR
Ryan
Jane
J
Mbui
Juma R
JR
Rashid
Monique K
MK
Wasunna
George
G
Kirigi
Charles
C
Magiri
Dedan
D
Kinoti
Phillip M
PM
Ngumbi
Samuel K
SK
Martin
Shadrak O
SO
Odera
Lisa P
LP
Hochberg
Christian T
CT
Bautista
Adeline S T
AS
Chan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007630:Kenya / Q000453:epidemiology; D007893:Leishmania donovani / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013029:Space-Time Clustering
D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan