In this paper, we develop a mathematical model to study the transmission dynamics of visceral leishmaniasis. Three populations: dogs, sandflies and humans, are considered in the model. Based on recent studies, we include vertical transmission of dogs in the spread of the disease. We also investigate the impact of asymptomatic humans and dogs as secondary reservoirs of the parasites. The basic r...

Molecular-based approaches might be misleading for assessing the 'potential importance' of possible reservoirs for parasites unless used in conjunction with population dynamics and ecological studies that provide an understanding of the linkages between the enzootic transmission cycle (in wild animals) and that in domestic animals. Better understanding of ecological constraints on Leishmania tr...

The present study reported for the first time phlebotomine sandfly species inhabiting edible-nest swiftlet cave of the isolated island, based on field collections made during June 2010-May 2011. The insect diversity was relatively lower to that of mainland caves. All species, Phlebotomus stantoni, Sergentomyia anodontis, Sergentomyia bailyi, Sergentomyia gemmea, Sergentomyia hodgsoni and Sergen...

Abstract Leishmaniasis is a protozoal infection transmitted by sandfly vector; there are three main types of leishmaniasis: cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), mucocutaneous (MCL), and visceral (VL). Herein, we present case endonasal in 34-year-old Yemeni patient who presented with disfiguring nasal swelling associated fever, swab from the lesion direct microscopic examination proved to have leishman...

Introduction Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis are endemic in the Maltese islands. Leishmania infantum has been cultured from humans, dogs and the sandfly PhZebotomus perniciosus (GRADONI et al., 1991). Since 1955 the incidence of leishmaniasis has been about 10 local new cases per year compared with about 150 cases per year in the immediate post-war period (CACHIA & FENECH, 1964; Ministry o...

In many countries, Leishmania/HIV co-infection is now changing the epidemiology of visceral leishmaniasis. The levels of transmission of the parasites causing such leishmaniasis were previously dependent on the conventional zoonotic cycle, in which sandflies transmitted the parasites from infected canids to other canids or humans. The co-infection, however, has led not only to marked increases ...

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani and transmitted by the bite of infected sandfly Phlebotomus argentipes. The protozoa is obliged intracellularly and causes a wide spectrum of clinical syndromes: VL ('kala azar'), cutaneous leishmaniasis and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (espundia). Kala azar is the most aggressive form and if untreated causes hig...

BACKGROUND Sand fly saliva has an array of pharmacological and immunomodulatory components, and immunity to saliva protects against Leishmania infection. In the present study, we have studied the immune response against Lutzomyia intermedia saliva, the main vector of Leishmania braziliensis in Brazil, and the effects of saliva pre-exposure on L. braziliensis infection employing an intradermal e...