Seroepidemiological study of visceral leishmaniasis in Booyerahmad district, south-west Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis [‎VL]‎ is endemic in parts of Islamic Republic of Iran. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study was carried out in children in Booyerahmad district in the south-west of the country. Serum samples were taken from 1628 children up to 10 years old from different areas in Booyerahmad in 2005-06. Anti-Leishmania antibody was detected in 50 out of 1628 children [‎3.1%]‎ by direct agglutination test [‎antibody titre > 1:3200]‎. There was no significant difference in seropositivity between the sexes [‎2.8% males and 3.3% females]‎. The highest rate of infection [‎5.2%]‎ was in the age group 10 years. Further studies are needed to explore the reservoirs and vectors of the disease in this region