title: Comparative study of kala-azar vector control measures in eastern Nepal.
abstract: This study was conducted to explore the most effective vector control tool among indoor residual spraying (IRS), long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and ecological vector management (EVM) as a part of the regional visceral leishmaniasis elimination initiative. Alpha-cypermethrin as IRS, PermaNet as LLINs and plastering the inner walls of houses with lime as EVM were the interventions. One baseline and three follow-up entomological surveys were carried out in all arms using CDC miniature light traps (LT) and mouth aspirators. Comparisons were made between intervention arms and control arms with pre-intervention and post-intervention vector densities. Light traps were found more efficient in the collection of Phlebotomus argentipes in comparison with aspiration. Vector densities were significantly low in both IRS arm (p=0.009 in LT and p<0.001 in aspirator collections) and LLIN arm (p=0.019 in LT and p=0.023 in aspirator collections) in comparison with control arm. However, in EVM arm, there was no significant difference in P. argentipes sand fly density in comparison with control arm (p=0.785) in LT collections in follow-up surveys. Hence, IRS was found most effective control measure to decrease vector density. LLINs were also found effective and can be considered as a promising alternative vector control tool in VL elimination initiative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, B.P. Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Dharan, Nepal. mldas_29@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Das
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rijal
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Paudel
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Picado
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kroeger
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petzold
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boelaert
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017610:Calcium Compounds / Q000494:pharmacology; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007299:Insect Bites and Stings / Q000517:prevention & control; D007300:Insect Control / Q000379:methods*; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D057148:Insecticide-Treated Bednets; D007306:Insecticides / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission*; D009390:Nepal; D010087:Oxides / Q000494:pharmacology; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development; D011722:Pyrethrins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D017610:Calcium Compounds; D007306:Insecticides; D010087:Oxides; D011722:Pyrethrins; C017160:cypermethrin; C016538:lime