[Risk factors of leishmanin-skin test positivity in transmission of Leishmania infantum in the center of Tunisia]

ABSTRACT

This work aims to estimate prevalence and evaluate risk factors of leishmanin-skin test positivity. A cross-sectional leishmanin skin test study was carried out on a sample of 3190 healthy volunteers living in the gouvernorates of Kairouan and Kasserine. Age standardized prevalence of leishmanin-skin test positivity was 45.9% [CI95% = [43.9-47.9]] confirming the hyper endemicity of this region. The rate of leishmanin-skin test positivity ranged from 75.9% [CI95% = [71.9-79.5]] in Zaghdoud [Kairouan] to 6.5% [CI95% = [3.7-11.01] in Abdeladhim [Kasserine]. There is no significant difference between men and women suggesting a similar exposure to infection. In the districts of Zaghdoud, Sidi Amor, El Hajeb and chbika, age specific rates showed a rapid increasing positive prevalence with age reaching a proportion exceeding 80% after the age of 15 years. However, the age specific prevalence from other delegations showed a progressive increasing trend with age, with a low rate for younger children and a plateau of 75% after 45 years. Multivariate analysis of leishmanin-skin test positivity risk factors showed that only district and age are determinants of this infection