Human Leishmaniasis in South Darfur, Sudan: An Epidemiological and Pathological Investigation
Mohammed Hamid *
Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University (KIU), Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda and Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Nyala, Sudan.
Tagwa Norain Mahmoud
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Nyala, Sudan and Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University (KIU), Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda.
Yassin Abdulrahim
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Kampala International University (KIU), Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda and College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China.
Idehen lyore Charles
Department of Medical Laboratory, School of Allied Health Sciences, Kampala International University (KIU), Western Campus, Ishaka, Uganda.
Abdelnasir A
Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Nyala, Sudan and Department of Pathology and Sample Management, Veterinary Laboratories Division, Animal Wealth Sector, Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), Abu Dhabi, UAE.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aims: The global incidence of leishmaniasis remains a significant public health challenge, especially in the African sub-Saharan region, including Sudan. This study was carried out to investigate the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in South Darfur State. Through examining the relationship between the disease and patient demographics (specifically sex and age), the prevalence rate across different months of the year to identify seasonal trends, and the process for follow-up diagnosis of clinical cases.
Study Design: This study was conducted at Nyala Teaching Hospital and the Communicable Diseases Center in South Darfur State from January 2022 to December 2022. All suspected cases were investigated during the study period using a standardized form designed to capture essential data points, including patient age, sex, time, and observations of registered cases.
Methodology: Data were collected from all clinical cases received at Nyala Teaching Hospital and the Communicable Diseases Center in South Darfur State. Following a clinical examination, diagnoses were confirmed using a direct smear test and a direct agglutination test.
Results: The study revealed that the infection rate of Leishmaniasis, both cutaneous and visceral, during the study period was 1774 cases. The study also showed that the infection rate was higher in males (1048 cases, or 59.1%) compared to females (626 cases, or 41.8%). The infection rate in the under-five age group was 216 cases (12.8%), while the infection rate in the 5-15 age group was 699 cases (39.4%). However, the infection rate in the 15-year-old and older age group was 859 cases (48.4%). The study also indicated that the infection rate peaked in September at 25.7%, followed by August at 22.6%, and then October at 20.4%.
Conclusion: the incidence of leishmaniasis is high in South Darfur State, especially cutaneous leishmaniasis, and it is high in males and older age groups, as well as in the autumn season, especially the month of September, which provides crucial data for improving the efficiency and impact of control programs.
Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis, visceral leishmaniasis, South Darfur, epidemiology, infection rate