Diversity of Sand Flies and Incidence of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Humans and Domestic Animals at Lower Dir, Pakistan

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Pakistan is considered to be a serious issue, and the primary cause of this dilemma is reported through sand flies. The study focuses on the diversity of sand flies and their associated risk factors and the prevalence of CL in Lower Dir and as well as the leishmania parasites incidence in domestic pets. Three species of sand flies, P. sergenti, P. salengensis, and P. major, were captured to establish the efficacy of castor oil, mustard oil, and glycerin. A household survey of 1,388 people assessed the risk factors in relation to CL.  Pets sampling determined regional prevalence rates. Better catching efficacy was reported for the mustard oil traps, which trapped the highest number of catches of sand flies. Most the identified risk factors included travel history (76.94%), a high rate of unemployment rate (46.25%), agricultural occupation (18.52%), and activities outside the household (72.33%). Most of the respondents were rural dweller and living in cement or brick houses with domesticated animals, hence exposed to the vectors. Regional analysis indicated that prevalence rates were however higher in pets compared to Timergra (65.22%) in Khal (63.08%).