Visceral leishmaniasis is a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by viscerotropic Leishmania species and transmitted by bites of infected phlebotomine sandflies, which is predominantly prevalent in the Indian subcontinent, eastern Africa and South America. Currently, visceral leishmaniasis is the second most fatal parasitic disease in the world. Because of climate changes, urban development and individual conditions, there are changes in the density of visceral leishmaniasis vector sandflies and the likelihood of contact with humans, resulting in a visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk. The review summarizes natural, social and biological factors affecting the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis, so as to provide insights into formulation of targeted control measures for visceral leishmaniasis.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence of canine Leishmania infections in villages endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Xin'an County, Luoyang City, so as to provide insights into visceral leishmaniasis prevention and control.
Methods: All dogs were captured from Huzhanggou Village, Xin'an County, Luoyang City in August 2020, where local cases with visceral leishmaniasis lived. The basic characteristics of dogs were collected, and venous blood was collected via the ear or neck veins of dogs. The serum anti-Leishmania antibody was detected using the rk39 immunochromatographic test and Leishmania nucleic acid was detected using PCR assay, and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was estimated in dogs.
Results: A total of 133 domestic dogs were captured from Huzhanggou Village, with a median age of 18.0 (28.5) months. The sero-prevalence of anti-Leishmania antibody was 24.81% (33/133) and the prevalence of a positive PCR assay was 14.29% (19/133) in dogs. The median ages of Leishmania-infected and uninfected dogs were 24.0 (36.0) months and 12.0 (18.0) months, respectively (U = 872.000, P = 0.000), and the prevalence of Leishmania infection was 55.56% (5/9) in "mangy dogs" and 24.19% (30/124) in asymptomatic dogs (χ2 = 2.793, P = 0.095).
Conclusions: There are a large number of asymptomatic dogs with Leishmania infections in Xin'an County, Luoyang City, with a high transmission risk of visceral leishmaniasis. Timely prevention and control measures are required to control the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.
Objective: To investigate the distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province, so as to provide insights into assessment of the visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk and formulation of visceral leishmaniasis control measures.
Methods: A total of 12 natural villages were sampled from Shilou County, Lishi District, Lanxian County, Linxian County and Wenshui County in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province from June to September, 2023, and sandflies were captured using light traps from 7 breeding habitats, including farmers' houses, sheep pens, cattle pens, chicken coops, pig pens, mule and horse pens, and loess-cave dwellings. Following morphological identification of the sandfly species, the distribution of sandflies and the seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density were analyzed. In addition, the Leishmania was detected in sandflies using a real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay.
Results: A total of 2 831 sandflies were captured with 156 light traps in Lüliang City from June to September, 2023, including 2 638 female sandflies (93.18%) and 193 male sandflies (6.82%), and the average density was 16.91 sandflies/(light-night). The seasonal fluctuations of the sandfly density all appeared a unimodal distribution in all survey sites, and the sandfly density peaked in July and then declined rapidly. Among all types of breeding habitats, the greatest sandfly density was found in sheep pens [39.04 sandflies/(light-night)]. In addition, 4.08% (2/49) of the sandfly samples were tested positive for Leishmania nucleic acid as revealed by the real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR assay.
Conclusions: Sandflies were widely distributed in Lüliang City, Shanxi Province in 2023, and the peak of the sandfly density was observed in July, which had a visceral leishmaniasis transmission risk. Intensified surveillance of visceral leishmaniasis and sandfly vectors is required and targeted vector control is recommended.
Objective: To analyze the characteristics of visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province, so as to provide insights into formulation of the visceral leishmaniasis control srtrategy.
Methods: All epidemiological data of reported visceral leishmaniasis cases in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023 were retrieved from the National Notifiable Disease Report Information Management System of Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the epidemiological features and diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis cases were descriptively analyzed.
Results: A total of 93 visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Henan Province from 2021 to 2023, with a male to female ratio of 2.58∶1, and including 2 imported cases from other provinces and 91 local cases. The number of visceral leishmaniasis cases peaked during the period between March and May, and between July and October. The reported visceral leishmaniasis cases had ages of 7 months to 74 years, with the largest number of cases found at ages of 0 to 9 years (26 cases, 27.96%), followed by at ages of 60 to 70 years (24 cases, 25.81%). Farmer (47 cases, 50.54%) and diaspora children (19 cases, 20.43%) were predominant occupations, and 91 local visceral leishmaniasis cases were found in 6 cities of Zhengzhou, Luoyang, Anyang, Hebi, Sanmenxia and Xuchang. The median duration from onset of visceral leishmaniasis to diagnosis was 20 days, and there were 25.81% (24/93) cases with 10 days and less duration from onset to diagnosis, 38.71% (36/93) cases receiving diagnosis at 11 to 30 days following onset, and 35.48% (33/93) cases receiving diagnosis for more than 30 days following onset. All cases were predominantly diagnosed in province- (60.00%) and city-level (28.89%) medical institutions.
Conclusions: The number of visceral leishmaniasis is on the rise in Henan Province, with a gradually expanding coverage. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis cases, dogs, and vectors, dog management, sandflies control and improved individual protection are recommended to prevent the spread of visceral leishmaniasis.
Objective: To investigate the geographical distribution and seasonal fluctuations of visceral leishmaniasis vectors sandflies in Henan Province in 2023, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of visceral leishmaniasis vectors.
Methods: A total of 23 counties (districts) were sampled from 18 cities of Henan Province from May to September, 2023 as sandfly surveillance sites, and sandflies were captured using human capture and light trapping methods. Following morphological identification, the changes in the sandfly density were calculated at different months and in different breeding habitats.
Results: A total of 406 light traps were set at sandfly surveillance sites in Henan Province from May to September, 2023, and a total of 3 137 female sandlies were captured, with an average density of 7.73 sandlies/(light·night). A total of 1 494 Phlebotomus chinensis sandflies were captured, including 1 222 female sandflies, with an average density of 3.01 sandflies/(light·night), and the highest density of P. chinensis was found in Gongyi City [17.00 sandflies/(light·night)]. A total of 5 544 sandflies were captured using the human capture method, including 230 P. chinensis, and the density of P. chinensis appeared a unimodal distribution, with a peak in early July [5.81 sandflies/(light·night)]. Among different breeding habitats, the highest P. chinensis density was detected in pigpens [4.50 sandflies/(light·night)].
Conclusions: P. chinensis was predominantly distributed in hilly areas of northern and central-western Henan Province in 2023, and the sandfly density appeared a unimodal distribution. Intensified monitoring of visceral leishmaniasis vectors is recommended.
Objective: To investigate the spatiotemporal clustering characteristics of the reported incidence of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Gansu Province from 1993 to 2023, so as to provide insights into the containment of VL and prevention of VL recurrence.
Methods: County (district)-level epidemical data of VL in Gansu Province from 1993 to 2023 were collected, and the geographical information database of reported VL incidence in Gansu Province was created according to the county-level administrative code and electronic maps in Gansu Province. In addition, the spatial autocorrelation analysis and hot spot analysis of the reported VL incidence were performed in Gansu Province using the software ArcGIS 10.8.
Results: A total of 2 597 VL cases were reported in Gansu Province from 1993 to 2023, with an annual average incidence rate of 3.036/105. Spatial autocorrelation analysis showed spatial clustering of the reported VL incidence in Gansu Province (Moran's I = 0.605, Z = 5.240, P < 0.001), appearing high-high clustering features (Getis-Ord G = 0.080, Z = 4.137, P < 0.001), and high-high clustering of the reported incidence of VL was identified in Diebu County, Tanchang County, Zhouqu County and Wenxian County. Hot spot analysis showed hot-spot areas of the reported VL incidence in Tanchang County, Zhouqu County, Wudu District and Wenxian County along the Bailong River basins and cold-spot areas in Qin'an County and Gangu County.
Conclusions: There was spatial clustering and hot spots of the reported VL incidence in Gansu Province from 1993 to 2023. Intensified surveillance and control is required to prevent the spread of VL.
Schistosomiasis was once hyper-endemic in Yunnan Province. Following concerted efforts for over 70 years, remarkable achievements have been made for schistosomiasis control in the province. In 2004, the Mid- and Long-term Plan for Schistosomiasis Prevention and Control in Yunnan Province was initiated in Yunnan Province, and the target for transmission control of schistosomiasis was achieved in the province in 2009. Following the subsequent implementation of the Outline for Key Projects in Integrated Schistosomiasis Control Program (2009-2015) and the 13th Five - year Plan for Schistosomiasis Control in Yunnan Province, no acute schistosomiasis had been identified in Yunnan Province for successive 12 years, and no local Schistosoma japonicum infections had been detected in humans, animals or Oncomelania hupensis snails for successive 6 years in the province by the end of 2020. The transmission of schistosomiasis was interrupted in Yunnan Province in 2020. This review summarizes the history of schistosomiasis, changes in schistosomiasis prevalence and progress of schistosomiasis control in Yunnan Province, and proposes the future priorities for schistosomiasis control in the province.
Objective: To investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Anaplasma infections in sheep and goats in Anhui Province in 2020, so as to provide insights into ovine anaplasmosis prevention and control.
Methods: A total of 355 fresh blood samples were collected from 7 sheep and goat farms in Linquan County of Fuyang City, Lixin County of Bozhou City, Yu'an District of Lu'an City, Wangjiang County of Anqing City, Nanling County of Wuhu City, and Tianchang City and Fengyang County of Chuzhou City in Anhui Province from June to December 2020. A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene, A. ovis major surface protein 4 (MSP4) gene and A. capra citric acid synthase (gltA) gene were amplified using PCR assay in all blood samples, and the prevalence of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra infections was calculated in sheep and goats. In addition, the positive amplification products were sequenced and subjected to genetic evolutionary analysis.
Results: The overall prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 17.5% (62/355) in sheep and goats in Anhui Province, and the prevalence of A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra infections was 2.8% (10/355), 2.5% (9/355), 2.5% (9/355), and 7.0% (25/355), while the prevalence of A. bovis and A. phagocytophilum, A. phagocytophilum and A. ovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. capra and A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum and A. ovis co-infections was 0.8% (3/355), 1.1% (4/355), 0.3% (1/355) and 0.3% (1/355), respectively. No Anaplasma was detected in the sheep and goat farms in Fengyang County, while at least three Anaplasma species were detected in other sheep and goat farms, with co-infections of multiple Anaplasma species identified. The prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 14.7% (24/163) in goats and 19.8% (38/192) in sheep, and the prevalence of Anaplasma infections was 31.0% (31/100) in goats and sheep under 6 months of age, and 12.2% (31/255) in goats and sheep at ages of 6 months and older, respectively. A. bovis, A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra were identified in sheep and goats of different breeds and ages.
Conclusions: Multiple Anaplasma species infections were commonly prevalent in goats and sheep in Anhui Province in 2020, notably A. phagocytophilum, A. ovis and A. capra, which have zoonotic risks. Improved surveillance and prevention and control of Anaplasma infections are required in sheep and goats in Anhui Province.