Studies on Leishmaniasis with Special Reference to the Reservoir Host and Insect Vector

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is listed as one of seven priority targets by the World Health Organization. Human Leishmaniasis caused by different species. Leishmaniasis is a significant health problem in many regions of the world and is a spectrum of diseases ranging from the cutaneous to visceral forms. A survey on dogs and rats as a reservoir host of Leishmaniasis in Assiut was done. In the present study, fifty rodents were trapped from different localities and subjected to careful examination of the outer surface for sores, smears were obtained, blood samples were taken and then dissected and impression smears were prepared from the liver and spleen and examined for parasites. No leishmania was detected in spite of 12 out of 50 (24%) from rodents showed positive formal gel test which might indicate that Assiut is not an endemic area for leishmaniasis. Also samples were collected from thirty five stray dogs at the Veterinary Hospital, Assiut University. All dogs were subjected to careful examination for any cutaneous lesions, blood samples were collected, biopsies and impression smears were taken from the spleen and . examined for Leishmania parasites. 10 out of35 (28.6%) of dogs showed positive formal gel test.