1997 Volume 7 Issue 4 Pages 107-113
A parasitological and serological study of goats was conducted in May, 1993 in Baringo District, Kenya, to determine the presence of Leishmania parasites and circulating Leishmania-specific IgG antibodies. A total of 102 goats were sampled for the presence of natural infections with Leishmania parasites at six different households. Venous blood and bone marrow samples, and saline aspirates from lymph node and sub-cutaneous tissues were drawn from each animal and cultured in NNN diphasic media in the laboratory. In addition, sera from goats and 23 human occupants of the households were assayed for the presence of L. donovani-specific and L. major-specific IgG antibodies, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). No flagellate protozoans were cultured from the samples. However, L. donovani-specific IgG antibodies were detected from two goats (2.0%) and six humans (26.1%). These data indicate that domestic goats are exposed to Leishmania parasites and produce detectable antibody responses. However, this is viewed as an accidental infection that does not develop into active disease. Our data does not support the implication that goats are potential reservoirs for human leishmaniasis.
