Situational Analysis of <i>Leishmaniases</i> Research in Kenya

Abstract

Leishmania spp are protozoan parasites of the Trypanosomatidae family that cause disease in humans and animals. In general, infections with these parasites can be divided into three main forms namely, cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniases. The disease is prevalent in many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, where it is transmitted via the bite of an infected sand fly. Leishmaniasis has been known to be endemic in parts of Kenya from as far back as early in the 20 th century. These endemic areas include Turkana, Baringo, Kitui, Machakos, Meru, West Pokot and Elgeyo Marakwet districts which have been reported to be endemic for kala-azar. Recent outbreaks of VL have been reported in the previously non-endemic districts of Wajir and Mandera in North Eastern Kenya between May 2000 and August 2001. The vector for VL in Kenya is Phlebotomus martini though other vectors including P. orientalis have been reported. Baringo district is the only foci reported where both VL and CL are known to occur in Kenya. The aetiological agents for CL which include L. majo r which has been reported in Baringo; L. tropica in Laikipia, Samburu, Isiolo, Nakuru and Nyandarua districts while L. aethiopica has been reported in the Mt Elgon area. In Kenya, P. duboscqi, P. guggisbergi have been shown to be the vectors of L. major and L. tropica, respectively, while P. pediffer, P. longipes and P. elgonensis have been implicated as vectors of L. aethiopica. Since 1980, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has spearheaded research on leishmaniases research in Kenya focusing on various aspects including characterization of Leishmania species, biology, and ecology of sand fly vectors, development of biological strategies for sand fly control, identification of animal reservoirs, diagnosis, new treatment strategies, new chemotherapeutic agents, and vaccine-related studies. KEMRI, a founding partner of the Drugs for Neglected Disease Initiative (DNDi), whose overall aim is to address lack of new or improved drugs for neglected diseases (which include leishmaniases, malaria, trypanosomiasis and chagas disease) has made major contributions in leishmaniases research and control in Kenya and the eastern Africa region.

From Mud and Stick-walled Houses to Corrugated Iron sheet Houses: A New Strategy for Preventing Human-Vector Contact in Marigat Sub-county a Leishmaniasis-endemic Area in Kenya

“…The research was done in the period April 2015 to March 2016 in the leishmaniasis endemic area of Marigat Sub-County in Baringo County, Kenya. This is the only region in Kenya where both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases have been found together [14][15][16]. It covers an area of approximately 10,000 Km 2 and is located north of the Equator (N00 0 28' E035 0 58') in the Kenyan Rift Valley.…”

Blood Cellular Haematological Changes in Patients with Visceral Leishmaniasis Attending Kimalel SubCounty Hospital, Baringo County

“…The VL or Kala azar is endemic in more than 60 countries worldwide Murray, 2002 [1] including Southern Europe, North Africa, Eastern Africa, the Middle East, Central and South America and the Asia subcontinent. In Kenya, the VL disease is endemic in Turkana, Baringo, Kitui, West Pokot, Machakos, Mwingi, Meru, Wajir, Mandera, Keiyo, Kajiado and Marakwet counties Tunui,2006,Fendall,1961,Ngoka et al,1978and Siongok et al,1982 [2,3,4,5]. The VL is potentially fatal if untreated, diagnosis of the disease rests on microscopic demonstration of amastigotes from the spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, or by PCR.…”

Identification ofLeishmania tropicafrom micro-foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Kenyan Rift Valley

“…1), as determined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis characterization of isolates. 5,6 L. donovani predominates, being distributed widely within the country. Leishmania tropica is historically reported to occur within the proximity of eastern escarpments of the central Kenyan Rift Valley and in the Laikipia plateau.…”

“…Map of Kenya showing geographical endemicity of different Leishmania species based on characterized isolates 5,6. …”