An epidemiological survey of visceral leishmaniasis in Gholtoghrakh Township of Payzawat County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Objective To investigate the epidemiological status of visceral leishmaniasis in Payzawat County of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Methods Based on a hint of possible existence of patients, a retrospective survey was carried out house by house to find cases with suspected signs/symptoms of the disease,meanwhile, a survey on current status was conducted, including physical examination (liver and spleen palpation) on those less than 3 years old, leishmanin skin test and rk39 immunochromatographic strip test on part of the residents. Bone marrow smears were examined for the cases with clinical signs/symptoms and positive rk39 strip test. Sandflies were collected using routine methods in and around the area, identified, and dissected to find infection of promastigotes. Results Leishmanin skin test was performed in 149 people with a positive rate of 68.46% (102/149) among them a positive rate of 11.76% (2/17) under 3 years old and a positive rate of 75.76% (100/132) between 4-75 years old. Of the 15 children under 3 years old with a negative skin test,one showed positive for rk39 strip test, and so confirmed as visceral leishmaniasis. There were 52 cases with a history of suspected signs/symptoms including 2 deaths, traced back as visceral leishmaniasis in 2001-2008.Total 374 sandfies were identified as Phlebotomus wui, and natural infection with promastigotes was found in 3 sandfies. Conclusion Visceral leishmaniasis is still prevalence in Payzawat County. Key words: Visceral leishmaniasis;  Epidemiology;  rk39 immunochromatographic strip test;  Leishmanin skin Test