Mathematical modelling of the use of insecticide-treated nets for elimination of visceral leishmaniasis in Bihar, India.

ABSTRACT: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a deadly neglected tropical disease caused by a parasite Leishmania donovani and spread by female sand flies Phlebotomus argentipes. There is conflicting evidence regarding the role of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) on the prevention of VL. Numerous studies demonstrated the effectiveness of ITNs. However, KalaNet, a large trial in Nepal and India did not support those findings. The purpose of this paper is to gain insight into the situation by mathematical modelling. We expand a mathematical model of VL transmission based on the KalaNet trial and incorporate the use of ITNs explicitly into the model. One of the major contributions of this work is that we calibrate the model based on the available epidemiological data, generally independent of t

SUBMITTER: Fortunato AK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8242840 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature