Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of <i>Leishmania</i> infection in Dogs in Al Gadarif State, Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Authors

  • N. A. Abass Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science & Technology, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, P.O Box 7099, Khartoum, Sudan.
  • S. B. Mohammed Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Postal code: 31982 Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
  • H. S. Mohammed Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science & Technology, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, P.O Box 7099, Khartoum, Sudan.
  • F. O. Mohammed Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
  • Abdel Hamid M. M. Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sudan University of Science & Technology, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, P.O Box 7099, Khartoum, Sudan.
  • E. M. El Hassan Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v45i2.1

Keywords:

Leishmaniasis, Sudan, Dogs, Prevalence, Risk Factors

Abstract

Human visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is an endemic disease in eastern Sudan, particularly in Al Gadarif State, causing significant morbidity and fatality rates. This disease is induced by Leishmania donovani and Leishmania infantum. Several studies have suggested that dogs (Canis familiaris), which are known for being the primary reservoir hosts of L. infantum (causing canine leishmaniasis), may play a vital role in transmitting human VL caused by L. donovani. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of leishmaniasis in general and L. donovani, particularly in dogs, and to investigate the potential risk factors associated with the disease in Al Gadarif State. Blood samples were collected from 151 dogs from five localities and examined using Giemsa-stained blood smears and PCR. The overall prevalence was 44.4% based on microscopic examination. Significant variation in the prevalence of leishmaniasis was observed among the localities (p = 0.000), where the highest prevalence was reported in Algurreisha (85%) and the lowest was observed in Alhawata (4.2%). Dog type was another risk factor that was shown to be significantly associated with infection (p = 0.041). The highest prevalence was reported in household dogs (47.7%) compared to stray dogs (23.8%). The analysis revealed that factors such as the use of dogs, sex, and age
were not statistically linked to the disease. However, among household dogs, the highest prevalence was reported in pet dogs (59.7%), males (49.1%) compared to females (32.6%), and young dogs (50%) compared to older dogs (40.9%). All blood samples tested negative for L. donovani by PCR, thus requiring further investigation to identify the causative species in dogs and their possible roles in the
epidemiology of zoonotic leishmaniasis in Sudan. 

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Author Biography

S. B. Mohammed, Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Postal code: 31982 Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.

Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan

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Published

2024-09-23

How to Cite

Abass, N. A., Mohammed, S. B., Mohammed, H. S., Mohammed, F. O., M. M., A. H., & El Hassan, E. M. (2024). Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of <i>Leishmania</i> infection in Dogs in Al Gadarif State, Sudan: A Cross-Sectional Study. Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, 45(2). https://doi.org/10.4314/njpar.v45i2.1

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