Autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis is a public health threat in Brazil considering the high lethality rates and increasing geographical dispersion to large urban conglomerates over the past 25 years. This study aimed to confirm suspected autochthonous cases of visceral leishmaniasis The disease predominantly affected children (12/21) and those from the Sobradinho region (16/21); the typical presentation of fever, hepatosplenomegaly and pancytopenia was observed in 67% of cases. Three deaths occurred during the study period. Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi was successfully isolated from one human case and twelve canine cases. Conclusions: Visceral leishmaniasis should be considered endemic in Brasilia based on the documented epidemiological behavior herein described and the confirmed autochthony of human cases.

Epidemiological aspects of human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in Montes Claros, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2007 and 2009

“…In the present study, VL was more frequent in children aged 0-9 years, a similar result to that found in the literature 5,24,25 , although a change in this profile has been detected, with an increased number of cases in young adults 26,27 . The higher susceptibility of children is explained by their relative cellular immaturity, aggravated by the malnutrition usually found in endemic areas and even by higher exposure to the vector in the peridomicile 5 .…”

Profile and geographic distribution of reported cases of visceral leishmaniasis in Campo Grande, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from 2002 to 2009

“…Higher VL incidence in males, also observed in other studies [21][22][23] , may be indicative of higher exposure to risk-associated environments (while not ruling out the possibility of differences between genders in defense mechanisms against VL). This fact lends support to the hypothesis that infection is not limited to the household setting, as males and females are similarly distributed across urban regions.…”

Occurrence of synanthropic triatomines (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) in the Federal District of Brazil

“…In this way, the detection of synanthropic triatomines would be more efficient, thus reducing the chances of colonization of these insects in domiciliary units of DF. Other zoonoses transmitted by vectors in DF, such as visceral leishmaniasis 57 , also in the scope of epidemiological surveillance, call to attention investments in basic and applied research involving vector transmission in the region. In this sense, we bear in mind that American trypanosomiasis cannot be eradicated completely, the more likely scenario being a reduction in human infection risk with T. cruzi, especially from strategies of surveillance and vector control.…”