Journal article
Domestic mammals as reservoirs for Leishmania donovani on the Indian subcontinent: Possibility and consequences on elimination
Transboundary and emerging diseases, Vol.69(2), pp.268-277
03/08/2021
DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14061
PMCID: PMC8455064
PMID: 33686764
Abstract
Leishmania donovani is the causative agent of historically anthroponotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) on the Indian subcontinent (ISC). L. donovani is transmitted by the sand fly species Phlebotomus argentipes. Our collaborative group and others have shown that sand flies trapped outside in endemic villages have fed on cattle and dogs in addition to people. Domestic animals are reservoirs for L. donovani complex spp., particularly L. infantum, in other endemic areas. Multiple studies using quantitative PCR or serological detection methods have demonstrated that goats, cattle, rats and dogs were diagnostically positive for L. donovani infection or exposure in eastern Africa, Bangladesh, Nepal and India. There is a limited understanding of the extent to which L. donovani infection of domestic animals drives transmission to other animals or humans on the ISC. Evidence from other vector-borne disease elimination strategies indicated that emerging infections in domestic species hindered eradication. The predominant lesson learned from these other situations is that non-human reservoirs must be identified, controlled and/or prevented. Massive efforts are underway for VL elimination on the Indian subcontinent. Despite these herculean efforts, residual VL incidence persists. The spectre of an animal reservoir complicating elimination efforts haunts the final push towards full VL control. Better understanding of L. donovani transmission on the Indian subcontinent and rigorous consideration of how non-human reservoirs alter VL ecology are critical to sustain elimination goals.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Domestic mammals as reservoirs for Leishmania donovani on the Indian subcontinent: Possibility and consequences on elimination
- Creators
- Anurag Kumar Kushwaha - Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, IndiaBreanna M Scorza - Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USAOm Prakash Singh - Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, IndiaEdgar Rowton - Division of Entomology, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD, USAPhillip Lawyer - Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USAShyam Sundar - Department of Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, IndiaChristine A Petersen - Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, University of Iowa, Coralville, IA, USA
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Transboundary and emerging diseases, Vol.69(2), pp.268-277
- DOI
- 10.1111/tbed.14061
- PMID
- 33686764
- PMCID
- PMC8455064
- NLM abbreviation
- Transbound Emerg Dis
- ISSN
- 1865-1674
- eISSN
- 1865-1682
- Grant note
- T32 AI007260 / NIAID NIH HHS U19 AI074321 / NIAID NIH HHS
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 03/08/2021
- Academic Unit
- Epidemiology; Internal Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984214851402771
Metrics
14 Record Views