Natural and experimental studies on domestic animal infections with visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases in Kenya

Abstract

The control of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases in Kenya has been difficult due to poor knowledge of animal reservoirs of these diseases. Little is known about the feeding preferences of phlebotomine sand flies that transmit some of the leishmaniases that are endemic in some areas in Kenya, which makes it difficult to control the diseases by targeting the animal reservoirs. This article reviews the efforts that have been made to identify reservoirs of known Leishmania parasites that cause leishmaniases in Kenya. The account includes studies that have been carried out on Kenyan canids, felines, ungulates and murines.