Development of decision making tool for modeling, prediction, and epidemiological mapping of leishmaniasis in central Sinai

Summary

Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease that transmitted to human by a bite of infected female sand fly. It is one of the neglected tropical diseases that cause a serious threat to global health. A number of 20,000−30,000 deaths were reported annually by WHO, with an estimation of 1.3 million new cases each year. A combination of intervention strategies that assist in investigating the interactions between the environment, animal, and human health are required for prevention and control of leishmaniasis. Prevalence and risk factors for the expansion of the disease are almost absent in the areas of the current study. Our objective is to develop health information system of Leishmaniasis in Egypt to improve disease management. Initial engagement and building partnership between Egypt center of research and Regenerative medicine (ECRRM) and Research and training center on vector of diseases (RTC) /Ain Shams University are considered fundamental to efficient and sustained disease control. To accomplish this, we will evaluate Leishmania parasite infection rate and identify the circulating species in field-collected sand fly, human, and rodent specimens. Genomic sequencing will be conducted to study genetic variations among Leishmania and sand fly species followed by phylogenetic analysis. Predicted distribution maps will be generated for sand fly vector species, using both observed spatial distributional data with environmental grid layers, which consists of climatic and altitudinal data. Geographic Information System (GIS) technology data will be used to update Vector/epidemiological Map, which is crucial for preparedness, and response to epidemics and outbreaks. This study will

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