Authors

O Osuolale¹; T Daramola¹; O Alajo¹;  ¹ Elizade University, Nigeria

Discussion

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is serious diseases that the World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes as lacking effective control measures. Transmitted by insect vectors and can result in epidemic outbreaks. Leishmaniasis is a serious public health problem in terms of its morbidity, mortality and co-infection. Because of their misdiagnosis or underdiagnosed, it is endemic in the tropical countries. Prevalence and epidemiology of the disease is poorly understood and misdiagnosed in Nigeria, in most cases with malaria. Our study aims to investigate leishmaniasis co-infections with malaria in patients visiting a rural community medical center in Elizade University, Ilara Mokin, Ondo State Methods: Blood samples were collected and analyzed for two months, and metadata information was captured. Bio-rad IT Leish serological test kits and molecular PCR was used to screen the samples. Results: This study examined 101 samples which were simultaneously tested for leishmaniasis infections. Only 1 sample was positive for Leishmaniasis using the serological kit, and 11 samples were positive for Leishmaniasis using PCR. Conclusion: The disparities between the test methods raise concern on the use of serological kit for leishmaniasis diagnostic in susceptible patients in Nigeria. The limitation cannot be fully quantified as large sample size will need to be evaluated. The detection of the disease points to the likelihood of asymptomatic carrier in the populace, providing new insights on possible incidence and prevalence of the disease. And there could be tendency of co-infection which could be mistaken for just malaria. Therefore, the need for special attention on surveillance to ascertain the scale of the disease infection. In addition, this study recommends a concerted effort to enlighten the people about leishmaniasis, its prevention and management.