Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kenya: Montenegro skin test in leishmaniasis foci and presumably leishmania-free areas

Abstract

Trials of the Montenegro skin test were made in 7 areas of Kenya in which cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania tropica and transmitted by Phlebotomus pedifer Lewis, Mutinga & Ashford or kala azar caused by L. donovani and transmitted by P. martini Parr. was present and 3 areas free from these diseases. Positive reactions were given by 0-30% of people tested, and the results indicated that in foci of endemic leishmaniasis, many people had been exposed to bites by anthropophilous infected Phlebotomines. In areas in which an animal reservoir thrives in addition to a highly infected vector, the potential for the spread of the disease is greatly increased.