Trend in cumulative cases and mortality rate among visceral leishmaniasis patients in Eastern Sudan: a 14-year registry, 2002-2015.

BACKGROUND: Leishmaniasis is one of the neglected infectious diseases of the world. This disease largely affects individuals of low socio-economic level, mainly in developing countries. METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the cumulative number of cases, case fatality rate, and trend in incidence and mortality rate of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Eastern Sudan. A retrospective descriptive study was performed through analysis of the database managed by the Ministry of Health in Gadarif State, which includes all cases of VL. RESULTS: Over the 14-year study period (2002-2015), a total of 51773 patients were registered in Gadarif State with clinical and laboratory evidence of proven VL. The trend in VL was considerably higher over the years 2003-2005 as compared to the last 5 years of 2011-2015. The highest fatality rate was observed in 2002 (4.8%) and it had declined in 2014 (1.1%) and 2015 (1.7%). Rural residence was statistically associated with death related to VL (p=0.021). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a high number of cumulative cases of VL in Eastern Sudan. The fatality rate was found to be highest among rural residents and has declined in the last 5 years. Thus immediate interventions are needed in terms of health education and the implementation of preventive measures, with a specific focus on people residing in rural areas.

Correlation of measles and dengue infection in Kassala, Eastern Sudan.

Using the clinical case definition adopted by the World Health Organization, a total of 275 suspected cases of measles were enrolled in this study during January-March 2012 in Kassala Teaching Hospital, Eastern Sudan. Various clinical manifestations (fever, headache, cough, coryza, conjunctivitis, skin rash, vomiting, diarrhoea, convulsion, and hemorrhagic manifestations) were reported among these patients. Blood was withdrawn from the first 64 (23.3%) patients. Two samples were hemolyzed and only 60 samples (21.8%) were investigated for measles and dengue IgM antibodies. Antibodies for measles, dengue, and co-infection were detected in the plasma of 12 (20%), seven (11.7%), and 10 (16.7%) samples, respectively. Although there was no significant difference in age, residence, occupation, and vaccination status among the different groups, a high proportion of male patients (P = 0.011), severe cases (P = 0.004), and death ((P = 0.001) were reported among co-infected cases.