Epidemiology of leishmaniases in Kenya. Natural host preference of wild caught phlebotomine sandflies in Baringo District, Kenya

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

East African Medical Journal

Publication Date

1-1-1990

Abstract

Sandflies have been implicated as the vectors of leishmaniases of man and animals both in the tropics and subtropics, but very little is known about their natural feeding habits. The Marigat focus of both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases located in Baringo District was chosen in order to confirm vectors and animal reservoirs of the two diseases and to generate information for an integrated vector and reservoir control strategy. Analysis of their blood meals revealed a distinct host preference between the Phlebotomus and Sergentomyia genera. A distinction of host preference within species of each of the two genera was also observed. It was observed that most of the wild hosts such as lizards and rodents shared the same resting habitats with the sandflies. It was also observed that the man-biting sandflies preferred to rest outdoors after feeding. Domestic animals and man were the favoured hosts of vectors of both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases, thus introducing an element of zooprophylaxis. -from Authors

PubMed ID

2390954

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