Molecular evidence supports the expansion of visceral leishmaniasis towards non-program districts of Nepal.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is caused by a protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani that is transmitted to humans by an infected female sandfly, Phlebotomus argentipes. VL is common in the Indian sub-continent including Nepal and efforts for its elimination are ongoing. However, expansion of disease towards the higher altitude areas, previously considered as VL free in Nepal, may impact the ability to achieve the elimination target by 2020.

Methods

This was an exploratory study, where VL suspected patients living exclusively in the non-program districts of Nepal and presenting with fever > 2 weeks and splenomegaly was included. The patients' blood samples were collected, and DNA was extracted. DNA was subjected to PCR amplification and subsequent sequencing. Additio

SUBMITTER: Shrestha M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6528229 | biostudies-literature | 2019 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature