Relationship between coffee cultivation practices in Colombia and exposure to infection with Leishmania

Abstract

The inhabitants of coffee-growing municipalities consistently report the highest annual rates of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia. During the last two decades most Colombian coffee growers have changed from the traditional system of cultivation, where the crop is grown under different species of shade trees, to an intensified system where it is grown at high densities in full sunlight. This change may affect transmission of Leishmania spp. to humans in several ways, probably resulting from reduced human-vector contact. The responses of residents of traditional and intensified coffee plantations to the leishmanin skin test were compared to ascertain whether intensification has indeed affected Leishmania transmission. Although prevalence of infection was significantly higher (P< or =0.01) among residents of traditional plantations (26.8%) than among those of intensified ones (13.2%), no significant difference could be demonstrated with respect to incidence of infection at the time of the study. Similar rates of infection were found for men and women, although the incidence of infection was significantly higher among the latter in intensified plantations. Changes to the type of data collected and the data collection process will facilitate the evaluation of the long-term effects of intensification of coffee plantations on Leishmania transmission.

The sandfly fauna, anthropophily and the seasonal activities of Pintomyia spinicrassa (Diptera: Psychodidae: Phlebotominae) in a focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in northeastern Colombia

“…An important role of Pi. spinicrassa was also observed by Alexander et al (2009) in other localities in NS. In addition, this species has been found naturally infected by L. (V.) braziliensis in the coffee-growing regions of Colombia and Venezuela (Young et al 1987, Perruolo et al 2006.…”

Application of the Eco-Epidemiological Method in the Study of Leishmaniasis Transmission Foci

“…In foci, such as Montebello and San Roque (Antioquia) [6,28,33] and areas with traditional cofee cultivation [46], children under the age of 5 years have been found to have the highest incidence of leishmaniasis; in these areas, the most frequently incriminated vector has been identiied as Lu. gomezi, which has increased biting activity during the early hours of the night.…”

“…Additionally, this disease is recognized by the name "vine" in these communities due to the bite of small animals that have a thread-like appearance and are called "vines" or "I saw you"; these animals have been found to often bite people while in the forests and in the branches of trees. Peasants in northwestern Colombia say that if a person sees this animal, he or she can shout, "Saw you," and the animal is paralyzed and does not cause itching or disease [46]. In these communities, the diagnosis of this condition is made by examining the lesion or urine.…”

Spatial distribution of P. argentipes in association with agricultural surrounding environment in North Bihar, India

“…It is reported that agricultural practices are a major determinant of leishmaniasis transmission [8], and could cause proliferation of Leishmania spp. [9][10][11]. Moreover, farming of certain crops generates a seasonal need for transitory agricultural workers, often during or just after the rainy season, when transmission of leishmaniasis is most severe [12,13].…”