Publications by authors named "Ajithlal P"
Background: Different clinical manifestations of leishmaniasis (cutaneous and visceral) caused by Leishmania donovani have been reported from Kerala, India. Leishmania donovani causing cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) (also called atypical CL [ACL]) is one of the major health concerns in the Western Ghats belt of the state.
Methods: Skin biopsies of 20 patients with suspected CL from Nilambur, Kerala, were processed for CL diagnosis during the period 2022-2023.
India is accelerating efforts to eliminate kala-azar by aligning its National Kala-Azar Elimination Program with the World Health Organization's (WHO) roadmap for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) 2021-2030. Elimination relies on comprehensive vector surveillance and integrated vector management. This study aimed to conduct nationwide entomological surveillance to detect Leishmania donovani in phlebotomine sand flies.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Human dirofilariasis is a parasitic disease becoming more prevalent in India, affecting humans as accidental hosts, leading to symptoms like pulmonary, ocular, or subcutaneous nodules.
- A study conducted among dogs in Kani tribal settlements revealed that over 25% were infected with Dirofilaria sp. hongkongensis, the same strain linked to human cases.
- The study highlights the increased risk for the Kani tribes due to their forest habitat and underscores the need for better awareness and surveillance concerning this disease and its mosquito vectors.
The visceral and atypical cutaneous leishmaniasis (VL and CL) caused by Leishmania donovani is an emerging infectious disease in the Western Ghats, Kerala, India. In this study, L. donovani specific kinetoplast minicircle DNA (k-DNA) sequence analysis was conducted to ascertain the genetic variability among the L.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFemale phlebotomine sandflies serve as vectors for the transmission of Leishmania parasites, perpetuating an enzootic cycle by disseminating between sylvatic and domestic animals. Humans form a part of this cycle because the sandflies search for a blood source required for egg development. The present study aimed to identify the feeding preferences of different sandfly fauna from six districts of Kerala, India, using molecular tools.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is often considered a 'great imitator' and is the most common form of leishmaniasis. The Leishmania species responsible for CL varies among countries, as these species exhibit specific distribution patterns. The increased mobility of people across countries has resulted in the imported incidences of leishmaniasis caused by non-endemic species of Leishmania.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe tribal population in and around the Western Ghats region of India is affected by both cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) with typical clinical symptoms. In this study, we recorded and analyzed seven CL and three VL cases from this emerging belt. All the cases were found as autochthonous transmission.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Culex quinquefasciatus is a notorious vector known to transmit pathogens such as Wuchereria bancrofti (causing Lymphatic filariasis) and flaviviruses such as West Nile virus in India and St. Louis Encephalitis virus in the USA. It is the vector of the Rift Valley Fever virus, also on the African continent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Following the Public Health Emergency of International Concern declared on Zika by the World Health Organization during 2016, the Indian Council of Medical Research carried out nationwide vector surveillance for Zika and Dengue viruses (ZIKV and DENV) in India as a preparedness measure in 2016-19.
Methods: High-risk zones distributed to 49 Districts in 14 states/union territories were included in the study. Seven ICMR institutions participated, following a standard operating protocol.