Introduction: Brazilian spotted fever is an emerging zoonosis notified mainly in the Southeast of Brazil, especially due to its high level of lethality. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and spatial pattern of the disease in the municipality of Valinhos (106,793 inhabitants), São Paulo, Southeastern region of Brazil, in the period between 2001 and 2012. Methods: All laboratory-confirmed cases with likely site of infection in the city (n = 49) notified in the Brazilian Case Registry Database were studied. Sites were geocoded using the cartographic base of the city and Google Earth (geographic coordinates) with correction according to the Brazilian Geodetic System. We used the Kernel estimator to analyze the density of the cases on the map. Land cover and distance to basins of all cases were analyzed. Information about tick species and primary hosts were obtained from reports of the Superintendence of Control of Endemic Diseases. Results: Seasonality of the disease was observed with the highest incidence from June to November, and in 2005 and 2011. The most affected groups were men (79.6%) aged 20-49 years old (49%). Lethality was found to be 42.9%. Maps showed the progressive registration of cases in the urban area. Capybaras were reported as the main primary host, and Amblyomma cajennense was identified in probable sites of infection during field investigation. The likely sites of infection were mostly located near basins, dirty pastures, and bordering woods. Conclusions: The transmission pattern of Brazilian spotted fever in Valinhos is similar to that in other cities in the region, where capybara is the main primary host and an amplifier of R. rickettsii. Over the years, a higher occurrence of cases has been identified in the urban area of the city.
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ABSTRACTThis is a retrospective study with ecological features that describes the epidemiological pattern and geographical distribution of American tegumentary leishmaniasis cases in Campinas, São Paulo, between 1992 and 2003. The probable infection locations were georeferenced by means of Global Position System and spatially described using Spring 4.01 Beta software from the Brazilian National Space Research Institute. A kernel estimator was applied to identify areas of case concentration, three epidemic areas with higher case intensity were found in the municipal area in 1993/1995and 2002/2003, closeness of domicile to forest, and clinical form of the disease were studied. Although socio-environment characteristics of the areas were different, epidemics profile were similar. Age, sex and occupational distribution suggest peri-domestic transmission. Proximity to forest has being a risk factor.
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