Abstract:

Case investigation data of visceral leishmaniasis reported in Shijiazhuang City from 2019 to 2021 was collected from the national infectious disease reporting and information management system. Blood samples were collected from all dogs in the villages where the patients reside. Meantime, venous blood samples were collected from the patient’s family members and neighbours within an area of 100 meters radius centered on the patient’s residence. The rk39 immunochromatographic test strip was used to detect serum anti-Leishmania antibodies. From May to September, sandflies were captured using light traps in the courtyards where the patients reside. A total of 8 visceral leishmaniasis cases were reported in Shijiazhuang City from 2019 to 2021 (1 case in 2019, 7 cases in 2021), 6 cases in Jingxing County, 1 case in Gaocheng District and 1 case in Luquan District respectively. There were 4 males and 4 females. Their age ranged from 1 year old to 71 years old, among which there was 2 cases aged ≤ 2 years, 1 case aged 30-49 years, 5 cases aged ≥ 50 years. There were 2 young children, 5 farmers and 1 cadre. Seven cases were infected in local counties and 1 case was imported from another province (Shanxi Province). A total of 400 dogs were tested, and the positive rate of anti-Leishmania antibody was 11.0% (44/400). The positive rates of anti-Leishmania antibody in dogs from 6 villages of Jingxing County ranged from 6.4% to 8/20 (χ² = 14.76, P < 0.05), and were 1.2% (2/172) and 0 (0/31) in dogs from Shijing Village of Luquan District and Xixinzhuang Village of Gaocheng District, respectively, with statistically significant differences between Jingxing County and Luquan District or Gaocheng District (χ² = 32.55, 8.10; P < 0.05). The 309 and 4 blood samples collected from the key personnel in Jingxing County and Gaocheng District respectively were negative for anti-Leishmania antibody, 118 blood samples collected from key personnel in Luquan District, among which 1 blood sample was positive, and the positive rate is 0.9% (1/118). Four Phlebotomus chinensis were captured in Jingxing County, while no sandflies was captured in Luquan District and Gaocheng District. There was a high risk of the spread of visceral leishmaniasis in Jingxing County. Active prevention and control measures were needed to prevent further spread.

Key words: Visceral leishmania, Recurrence, Epidemiological investigation and analsis, Shijiazhuang City