Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.

<h4>Background</h4>Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by various species of female phlebotomine sand flies. The first report of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ghana refer to a cluster of cases in 1999-2003 in the...

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Main Authors: Richard Akuffo, Michael Wilson, Bismark Sarfo, Naiki Attram, Mba-Tihssommah Mosore, Clara Yeboah, Israel Cruz, Jose-Antonio Ruiz-Postigo, Daniel Boakye, Javier Moreno, Francis Anto
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2021-05-01
Series:PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009413
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author Richard Akuffo
Michael Wilson
Bismark Sarfo
Naiki Attram
Mba-Tihssommah Mosore
Clara Yeboah
Israel Cruz
Jose-Antonio Ruiz-Postigo
Daniel Boakye
Javier Moreno
Francis Anto
author_facet Richard Akuffo
Michael Wilson
Bismark Sarfo
Naiki Attram
Mba-Tihssommah Mosore
Clara Yeboah
Israel Cruz
Jose-Antonio Ruiz-Postigo
Daniel Boakye
Javier Moreno
Francis Anto
author_sort Richard Akuffo
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Background</h4>Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by various species of female phlebotomine sand flies. The first report of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ghana refer to a cluster of cases in 1999-2003 in the Ho municipality of the Volta Region. We conducted an epidemiological assessment in the Oti Region, encouraged by recent reports of potential cases of CL.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>Using a cross-sectional study design, the exposure to Leishmania was investigated in three communities of the Oti Region based on the leishmanin skin test (LST). LST results for 3,071 participants comprising 1091, 848, and 1132 persons from the communities of Ashiabre, Keri, and Sibi Hilltop, indicated an overall prevalence of exposure to Leishmania infection of 41.8% and individual community prevalence of 39.4%, 55.1%, and 34.2% respectively. Being male [AOR = 1.27; CI: 1.09, 1.49], and living in Keri [AOR = 1.83; CI: 1.43, 2.34] were associated with an increase in the odds of exposure to Leishmania. Being 5-10 years old [AOR = 1.48; CI: 1.06, 2.05], 11-17 years old [AOR = 2.03; CI: 1.45, 2.85], 18-40 years old [AORR = 2.83; CI: 1.81, 4.43] and 41-65 years old [AOR = 5.08; CI: 2.98, 8.68] were also significantly associated with increased odds of being exposed to Leishmania.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>This study demonstrated exposure to Leishmania in the study communities and also identified associated factors. Future efforts aimed at reducing exposure to Leishmania infection in the study area should take the associated factors into consideration.
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spelling doaj.art-35387c0b631b427da8e73be6ee19616c2022-12-21T18:27:31ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases1935-27271935-27352021-05-01155e000941310.1371/journal.pntd.0009413Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.Richard AkuffoMichael WilsonBismark SarfoNaiki AttramMba-Tihssommah MosoreClara YeboahIsrael CruzJose-Antonio Ruiz-PostigoDaniel BoakyeJavier MorenoFrancis Anto<h4>Background</h4>Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and is transmitted by various species of female phlebotomine sand flies. The first report of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ghana refer to a cluster of cases in 1999-2003 in the Ho municipality of the Volta Region. We conducted an epidemiological assessment in the Oti Region, encouraged by recent reports of potential cases of CL.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>Using a cross-sectional study design, the exposure to Leishmania was investigated in three communities of the Oti Region based on the leishmanin skin test (LST). LST results for 3,071 participants comprising 1091, 848, and 1132 persons from the communities of Ashiabre, Keri, and Sibi Hilltop, indicated an overall prevalence of exposure to Leishmania infection of 41.8% and individual community prevalence of 39.4%, 55.1%, and 34.2% respectively. Being male [AOR = 1.27; CI: 1.09, 1.49], and living in Keri [AOR = 1.83; CI: 1.43, 2.34] were associated with an increase in the odds of exposure to Leishmania. Being 5-10 years old [AOR = 1.48; CI: 1.06, 2.05], 11-17 years old [AOR = 2.03; CI: 1.45, 2.85], 18-40 years old [AORR = 2.83; CI: 1.81, 4.43] and 41-65 years old [AOR = 5.08; CI: 2.98, 8.68] were also significantly associated with increased odds of being exposed to Leishmania.<h4>Conclusions/significance</h4>This study demonstrated exposure to Leishmania in the study communities and also identified associated factors. Future efforts aimed at reducing exposure to Leishmania infection in the study area should take the associated factors into consideration.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009413
spellingShingle Richard Akuffo
Michael Wilson
Bismark Sarfo
Naiki Attram
Mba-Tihssommah Mosore
Clara Yeboah
Israel Cruz
Jose-Antonio Ruiz-Postigo
Daniel Boakye
Javier Moreno
Francis Anto
Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases
title Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.
title_full Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.
title_fullStr Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.
title_short Prevalence of Leishmania infection in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.
title_sort prevalence of leishmania infection in three communities of oti region ghana
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009413
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