Leishmaniasis in Western Sudan: Prevalence and Clinical Picture

Aim of Study: To identify prevalence of leishmania cases and the clinical picture among inhabitants of the Green Valley villages in Rashad Province.Material and Methods: The study included the total population of The Green Valley villages, Rashad Province, west of Sudan villages (N=332). Demographic data were collected using a special questionnaire. Clinical examination of all villagers was conducted. Screening for symptoms and signs related to leishmaniasis was performed. Leishmanin skin test (LST) was done to all villagers. The ball pin technique was applied after 48-72 hours. Indurations, redness and swelling more than 5mm were considered positive. Finger prick blood spotted filter papers were collected from all the villagers. All the samples were tested for leishmania parasite detection using specific donovani primers.Results: LST results showed that 170 cases were positive (51.2%). Distribution of LST results by clinical grades according to gender showed no significant difference. Clinically, only 3% complained of diarrhea. Fever was the complaint of 34% of children and 16% adults, while abdominal pain experienced by 6.7% of children and 13.5% of adults. Clinical assessment showed that 14 individuals had enlarged liver while 50 persons showed enlarged spleen and only 63 individuals showed enlarged lymph nodes localized to the inguinal region.Conclusions: The capability of leishmaniasis to exist in deserted areas can be explained by the disease capability to maintain internal circulation within the vectors and animal reservoirs and this can last as long as twenty years. Also there is a need to do further serological study to confirm sub clinical infection in this area.