ABSTRACT

The incidence and prevalence of “Kaal Daana” (cutaneous leishmaniasis), sand fly species and rodent reservoirs were studied in seven geographical areas in south-western Pakistan (Balochistan). Fifteen thousand eight hundred and forty seven persons (5-40+ years in age) were examined. Eight thousand and seven (50.52 %) had active lesions and 7529 (47.51 %) had scars resulting from past infection with CL. A total of 2013 sand flies were collected indoors and from rodent burrows using an aspirator and more often with sticky traps. Seven species of sand flies of the genus Phlebotomus and 16 species of the genus Sergentomyia were identified. Forty-one of the one hundred thirty nine rodents trapped alive belonged to the Meriones sp. and the remaining included 61 Rattus rattus, twenty-one Tatera indica and 16 Mus musculus. One Meriones sp. was positive for amastigotes in smears prepared from the ears of the animal.

Keywords: “Kaal Daana”, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), sand flies, south-western Pakistan