Ten years of kala-azar in west Bengal, Part I. Did post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis initiate the outbreak in 24-Parganas?

摘要: Following resurgence in Bihar of epidemic kala-azar, outbreaks the disease were identified simultaneously two separate foci about 500 km apart West Bengal 1980. While outbreak one these foci, northern Bengal, was result a direct extension epidemic, source parasite other (in village Bandipur south Bengal) remained unknown until case nodulo-ulcerative post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) located village. The continued presence this from time long before aroused strong suspicion its causal role. Laboratory-bred female Phlebotomus argentipes sandflies allowed to feed on four cases PKDL, including Bandipur, determine transmission potential cases. Of total 400 flies experiment, 104 (26%) fed cases, and 44 died (31 within 48 hours feeding). surviving 60 flies, 32 developed promastigotes mid-gut. In view PKDL prior availability susceptible human population vectors, it is possible that patient with Leishmania donovani parasites for local focus. Furthermore, may act as reservoir during inter-epidemic periods.