The Egyptian mongoose,Herpestes ichneumon, is a possible reservoir host of visceral leishmaniasis in eastern Sudan

Abstract

Investigations were made on possible reservoir hosts ofLeishmania donovaniin 2 zoonotic foci of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Dinder National Park (DNP) and the peri-domestic habitats of adjacent villages of eastern Sudan. Animals were captured, in November 1997–1998 and April–May 1999 and examined forL. donovaniinfection using light microscopy and 2 sensitive Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) systems. Microscopy and PCR investigations were also used to determine the infection rates ofL. donovaniinPhlebotomus orientaliscaptured from the uninhabited site of DNP. Infections ofL. donovaniwere detected in 2 out of 14 Egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon), 1 out of 168Arviconthus niloticusand 1 out of 8Mastomys natalensis. Samples from 68 other animals captured from the study area were all negative for the infection. Active zoonotic transmission ofL. donovaniat the time of animal sampling in the uninhabited site of DNP was demonstrated by finding the parasite in 3.4% (7 out of 184) and 3.2% (5 out of 157) of flies collected in March 1998 and May 1999, respectively. We suggest that the Egyptian mongoose is a possible reservoir host ofL. donovani. The importance of other animals in maintaining the infection is also discussed.