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http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/130
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| Title: | INVESTIGATION OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS USING CONVENTIONAL AND MOLECULAR METHODS IN SILTI WOREDA, ETHIOPIA |
| Authors: | Edessa, Negera |
| Keywords: | Cutaneous leishmaniasis
Risk-factor
Molecular epidemiology
Prevalence
Treatment
L. aethiopica |
| Date Added: | 21-Sep-2007 |
| Abstract: | Man-made risk factors for leishmaniasis are increasing while knowledge of risk factors,
accurate diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis is poor. As a result, deadly epidemics of
leishmaniasis occur periodically, but tools for prediction and prevention are lacking. Hence,
research is needed to address these constraints. Leishmaniasis in Ethiopia is mainly due to
L. donovani and L. aethiopica, which causes visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis respectively.
Although the exact magnitude of the problem is not known, several surveys have indicated the
importance of the diseases as a public health problem. A complete mapping of the diseases
remains to be accomplished in view of the increasing number of patients reporting from
regions hitherto unknown to be endemic.
Therefore, the main aim of this work is to describe the epidemiology of the disease through
identification of the causative agent using molecular epidemiological tools in Silti Woreda. The
study was conducted in two Phases: in phase I, house-to-house survey was conducted and in
phase II, parasitological identification was done. The treatment response of L. aethiopica to
liquid nitrogen (cryotherapy) and pentostam was documented as follow up activity. The
prevalence of the disease in the area was found to be 4.82% with highest prevalence among age
group 10-20 years. Some plants like Adathoda shimperina and Acacia spp. and hyraxes and
domestic animals were associated with increased risk of cutaneous leishmaniasis. The sole
causative agent identified was L. aethiopica. The disease was found to be recently introduced
in the area. In conclusion, the importance of the risk factors identified in this study should be
investigated further and molecular epidemiological studies should be conducted in other areas
to map the exact magnitude of the disease in the country. The clinical service in the outbreak
site (Silti) needs to be prepared to provide the required care and treatment of patients who will
keep coming from the area. Leishmaniasis control program has to be initiated in Ethiopia so as
to prevent the disease from expanding. |
| Description: | A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES
OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY IN
PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/130 |
| Appears in: | Thesis - Biology
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