Project name: “SURVEILLANCE WORK ON ACUTE FEBRILE ILLNESS (AFI)”, Global Disease Detection (GDD) project component (C1), CDC,USA; Project implementation timeline: 1.09.2014 - 28.08.2014.

Project summary

a). Project  Objective: 

•  Identification of leishmaniasis vector species in two district of Kakheti region –Kvareli and Sagarejo, Where, since 2007 the number of cases has increased considerably.

•             Active surveillance amongst humans in mentioned districts in order to detect illness in earlier stages.

•             Sero-prevalence study of Visceral Leishmanioasis (VL) in reservoirs -pet dogs.

•             Establishment of Nested PCR based diagnosis of leishmaniasis at NCDC as a alternative diagnostic tool.

b). Project implementation:

•             According to the project objectives, we aimed to collect 500 human and 600 pet dogs blood samples in Kvareli and Sagarejo districts.  Collected samples will be tested on VL with rk39 immunochromatographic tests.  For voluntaries, in case of positive test results on rk39 or PCR, the patient or the patient`s doctor will be informed immediately. During the project implementation, PCR diagnostic will be free of charge for all the patients, who will be applied to the Tbilisi Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine as a susceptive on VL.  Collection of Phlebotomine sand fly species will be performed as well by CDC standard light traps. Will be identified their species and all (female) sand flies will be tested on PCR to determine the infectifity rate.

c). Expected results:

•             Will be identified and studied VL foci. Will be determined the certain vectors and sero-prevalence of reservoirs. These will give us an opportunity to plan properly preventive measurements (for future) against this disease.

•             The risk groups will be observed