title: Seroprevalence of Leishmania infantum in a rural area of Senegal: analysis of risk factors involved in transmission to humans.
abstract: Whereas Leishmania infantum, the agent of visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is well known in North Africa, very limited data exist on its spread in West Africa, where mainly cutaneous leishmaniasis has been widely reported. Nevertheless, dogs infected with L. infantum were recently found in the Mont Rolland District in Senegal. To provide a better understanding of L. infantum epidemiology in this area, clinical and serological surveys were carried out to determine the seroprevalence of L. infantum-specific antibodies in the human population. In parallel, an analysis of environmental and individual factors associated with Leishmania antigen seropositivity was conducted to identify potential risk factors for exposure. Although no cases of VL were detected within this study, a large part of the population (73/315; 23%) was exposed to infection, with a strong age effect (being >40 years old increased the risk of being seropositive). Moreover, the presence of Nebedaye trees (Moringa oleifera) and infected dogs in the household were factors increasing the risk of exposure in household members. These results may provide important information to identify the still unknown sandfly species involved in transmission.
authors.affiliation: Service de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine et Pharmacie, Université Cheikh Anta Diop, BP 5005 Dakar Fann, Dakar, Senegal. bfaye67@yahoo.fr
authors.forename: Babacar
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faye
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bucheton
authors.forename: Anne Laure
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Bañuls
authors.forename: Massila Wagué
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Senghor
authors.forename: Abdoul Aziz
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Niang
authors.forename: Souleymane
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diedhiou
authors.forename: Oumar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Konaté
authors.forename: Michel Mainack
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Dione
authors.forename: Mallorie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hide
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mellul
authors.forename: Romy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knecht
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Delaunay
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marty
authors.forename: Oumar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Gaye
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis; D002353:Carrier State; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000635:transmission; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018314:Leishmania infantum; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011576:Psychodidae; D012307:Risk Factors; D012423:Rural Health; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult; D015047:Zoonoses
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan