الفهرس 
AcknowledgementOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
The prsent study was carried on primary school children of El-Agamy Alexandria, Egypt, to assess their serologic status ,to VL after the report of the disease in the area. ELISA and IPAT were used to diagnose VL and the influence of some personal and socioeconomic factors on the occurrence of the disease was studied. Statistical analysis was done and the following conclusions were drawn: 1. The percentage of VL among primary school children in the area was 3~ 2 2. The infection in the sample studied seemed to follow asymptomatic course, as all previous clinically dia gnosed oases were under four years of age (Magda 1984). J. There was no significant sex and age difference in distribution of the disease. 4. There was no significant relation between ~he percentage of VL and presence or cause of soars. 5. No significant relation was noted between VL and the income/capita. 6. No significant relation was deteoted between VL and vegetation. 7. This study has proved that, the infection was indigeonous and there was no signifioant effeot of children travel on the distribution of leishmaniasis. Besides, VL was significantly higher among children whose relatives did never travel. 8. No relation was found between VL and usage of in secticides within residenoes. 9. There was no signifioant relation between distribution of VL and presence of rodents. 10. The father occupation did not affect the distribution of the disease. 11. VL was more prevalent among ohildren of working mothers. , 12. The percentage of VL was significantly higher among children living in brick-blocks houses than among those living in concrete ones. ’13. KA was significantly higher among children complaining of presence of biting insects. 17. 18. 14. Significant relation was found between distribu- tion of VL and presence of dogs. 15. As regards the serological tests; ELISA seemed more sensitiye than IFAT in diagnosing leishma~ial antibodies. However, more time was needed in pre peration of antigen and establishment of fixed test parameters. 16. It is clear that ELISA can be read with or without spectrophotometer especially in cases where positive-negative readings are needed. A character whioh oan facilitate the application of ELISA in . seroepidemiology where results are needed promptly in the field. IFAT is easy to perform, with less technical problems and it requires an easy prepared slide anti gen. However, it demands, for reading, the use of an expensive equipment, a fluorescent microscope. The continuation of appearance of VL cases in EI-Agamy indicates that a focus of the disease has been established. It is more possible that new cases are likely to occur now and again in the area. Yet the reasons for the sudden occurance of the disease are still not fully understood.