In:
eLife, eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd, Vol. 3 ( 2014-06-27)
Abstract:
Each year 1–2 million people are diagnosed with a tropical disease called leishmaniasis, which is caused by single-celled parasites. People are infected when they are bitten by sandflies carrying the parasite, and often develop skin lesions around the bite site. Though mild cases may recover on their own or with treatment, sometimes the parasites multiply and spread elsewhere causing further skin lesions and facial disfigurement. Furthermore, the parasites can also infect internal organs such as the spleen and the liver, which without treatment can be fatal. The parasites that cause leishmaniasis are found in 88 countries around the world, mainly in South and Central America, Africa, Asia, and southern Europe. However, over 90% of potentially fatal infections occur in just six countries: Brazil, Ethiopia, Sudan, South Sudan, India, and Bangladesh. Although a few studies have looked at the distribution of leishmaniasis within different countries, we still do not have a complete picture of the distribution of the disease on a global scale. To address this, Pigott et al. set out to create detailed maps of the distribution of leishmaniasis and the factors that promote its spread. Similar techniques had been previously used to map dengue fever, another tropical disease. Computer modelling was used to generate the maps based on data about the environment at the locations of known cases of leishmaniasis. This information was then used to infer the likelihood of leishmaniasis being present at other locations across the globe. Based on their maps, Pigott et al. estimate that about 1.7 billion people, or one quarter of the world's population, live in areas where they are at potential risk of leishmaniasis. People living in built-up areas outside of cities are at the greatest risk, likely because some sandfly species prefer to live near dwellings, but other social and economic factors also contribute to the risk of catching this disease. The factors driving the transmission of leishmaniasis differed in the Old World (Europe, Africa and Asia) and the New World (the Americas): built-up areas were more likely to be at risk in the Old World, while temperature and rainfall were bigger factors affecting risk in the New World. It is hoped that the maps created by Pigott et al. will help inform future estimates of the burden of leishmaniasis and target surveillance and disease control efforts more effectively to combat this tropical disease.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
2050-084X
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.001
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.002
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.003
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.004
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.005
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.006
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.007
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.008
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.009
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.010
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.011
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.012
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.013
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.014
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.015
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.016
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.017
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.018
DOI:
10.7554/eLife.02851.019
Language:
English
Publisher:
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
Publication Date:
2014
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2687154-3
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