[Canine leishmaniasis from Leishmania infantum: value and production of the latex test. Ecoepidemiologic applications]. / Leishmaniose canine à Leishmania infantum: intérêt et réalisation du test au latex. Applications en éco-épidémiologie.

The authors relate the realization, evaluation and eco-epidemiological applications of a "field-test": the agglutination of latex particles coated with a soluble antigen of Leishmania infantum in the presence of homologous antibodies. Evaluated on 1,035 canine sera, the sensitivity of the latex agglutination test (LAT) was 93.4% compared to the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). 90 node cultures were carried out on dogs with positive or negative LAT and/or positive or negative IFAT. The frequency of positive node cultures (70%) as versus positive LAT came between the results obtained for an IFAT > 1/40 (64%) and IFAT > 1/80 (73%). 32/33 (97%) dogs had positive node culture, LAT and IFIAT(> 1/80). 6 dogs had negative LAT but positive node culture: 5 of these had also an IFAT < 1/160. This test was used in the field on several eco-epidemiological surveys in leishmanian enzootic areas. Node cultures were made on the dogs with positive TL. 39 strains were isolated: 18 in Algeria, 15 in Morocco, 2 in Syria and 4 in Yemen. 13/39 strains were obtained from dogs with IFI < 1/160: 2 at 1/20, 8 at 1/40 and 3 at 1/80. In Algeria this test was also used for the diagnosis of human visceral leishmaniasis in a child. This quick, simple, sensitive and specific test could be usefully carried out on "field" surveys for the diagnosis of visceral-leishmaniasis in animals and human beings.

[Eco-epidemiology of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Yemen Arab Republic. I. Presence, in sympatric condition, of Leishmania infantum and Leishmania donovani complexes]. / Ecoépidémiologie des leishmanioses viscérales et cutanées en République arabe du Yémen. I. Présence, en condition sympatrique, des complexes Leishmania infantum et Leishmania donovani.

In complement to a previous survey, the authors proceed to the analysis of strains isolated from visceral human and canine leishmaniasis. Finally, among eight human strains isolated and identified with an enzymatic method, seven belong to the Leishmania donovani complex and one to the L. infantum complex. The L. donovani complex is represented by the MON-31 and MON-83 zymodem. The first one is also present in Saudi Arabia and Ethiopia. The second one, corresponding to a small variant, pleads for an intrafocal polymorphism phenomenon which was until now unknown in the L. donovani complex. The L. infantum complex is observed: 1) in sympatria with L. donovani in mountainous areas; 2) alone in the Tihama coastal plain. As for human cutaneous leishmaniasis present in the same focuses it is caused by L. tropica MON-71 and not by the above mentioned complexes.

[Eco-epidemiology of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Arab Republic of Yemen. II. A survey using intradermal reaction to leishmanin in a zone of mixed infestation with Leishmania tropica, L. donovani and L. infantum]. / Ecoépidémiologie des leishmanioses viscérales et cutanées en République arabe du Yémen. II. Enquête par intradermoréaction à la leishmanine dans une zone d'infestation mixte à Leishmania tropica, L. donovani et L. infantum.

Frequency distribution of leishmanin test survey in Dhamran valley around Taez (Yemen Arab Republic) is reported. It was carried out on 174 school children from 6 to 12 years old. Three schools located at 950 m, 1,100 m and 1,430 m of altitude were visited. The maximum of positivity is observed in the lower range where L. tropica, L. donovani and L. infantum are rife. In the upper valley, where cutaneous leishmaniasis is rare and visceral leishmaniasis absent, the rate of positivity is a little bit lower. The conjugated influence of the three parasites is suggested.

[Eco-epidemiology of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Arab Republic of Yemen. III. Inventory and dynamics of Phlebotomus]. / Ecoépidémiologie des leishmanioses viscérales et cutanées en République arabe du Yémen. III. Inventaire et dynamique des phlébotomes.

The systematic inventory and annual following of Phlebotomus population is established by the authors in a transmission area of visceral (human and canine) and cutaneous (human) leishmaniasis in the Yemen Arab Republic (province of Taez). Seven species of Phlebotomus and nine species of Sergentomyia are thus identified. Among them, four are considered as potential vectors: on the one hand, P. orientalis (s.g. Larroussius) and, probably P. arabicus (s.g. Adlerius) for L. infantum and L. donovani, in the other, P. sergenti and P. saevus (s.g. Paraphlebotomus) for L. tropica.

[Serological, clinical and epidemiologic analysis of 53 cases of kala-azar in the Arab Republic of Yemen]. / Analyse sérologique, clinique et épidémiologique de 53 cas de Kala-Azar en République Arabe du Yémen.

The visceral leishmaniasis (Kala-Azar) is present in Republic Arab of Yemen. On 53 cases diagnosed during 21 months in Taez Republican Hospital the disease is affecting essentially children (55 under five years old) with predominant focus in the area of Charaab and Qobeita. Serology using passive hemagglutination is helpful for the diagnosis when the rate is higher or equal to 1/64e. The problem of wrong positive reaction in cases of lymphoblastic leukemia and Hodgkin is noticed.