Transmission potential, skin inflammatory response, and parasitism of symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs with visceral leishmaniasis

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil is caused by the protozoan <it>Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi </it>and it is transmitted by sandfly of the genus <it>Lutzomyia</it>. Dogs are an important domestic reservoir, and control of the transmission of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) to humans includes the elimination of infected dogs. However, though dogs are considered to be an important element in the transmission cycle of <it>Leishmania</it>, the identification of infected dogs representing an immediate risk for transmission has not been properly evaluated. Since it is not possible to treat infected dogs, they are sacrificed when a diagnosis of VL is established, a measure that is difficult to accomplish in highly endemic areas. In such areas, parameters that allow for easy identification of reservoirs that represents an immediate risk for transmission is of great importance for the control of VL transmission. In this study we aimed to identify clinical parameters, reinforced by pathological parameters that characterize dogs with potential to transmit the parasite to the vector.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The major clinical manifestations of visceral leishmaniasis in dogs from an endemic area were onicogriphosis, skin lesions, conjunctivitis, lymphadenopathy, and weight loss. The transmission potential of these dogs was assessed by xenodiagnosis using <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis</it>. Six of nine symptomatic dogs were infective to <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis </it>while none of the five asymptomatic dogs were infective to the sandfly. <it>Leishmania </it>amastigotes were present in the skin of all clinically symptomatic dogs, but absent in asymptomatic dogs. Higher parasite loads were observed in the ear and ungueal region, and lower in abdomen. The inflammatory infiltrate was more intense in the ears and ungueal regions of both symptomatic and asymptomatic dogs. In clinically affected dogs in which few or none <it>Leishmania </it>amastigotes were observed, the inflammatory infiltrate was constituted mainly of lymphocytes and macrophages. When many parasites were present, the infiltrate was also comprised of lymphocytes and macrophages, as well as a larger quantity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Dogs that represent an immediate risk for transmission of <it>Leishmania </it>in endemic areas present clinical manifestations that include onicogriphosis, skin lesions, conjunctivitis, lymphadenopathy, and weight loss. Lymphadenopathy in particular was a positive clinical hallmark since it was closely related to the positive xenodiagnosis.</p

Prevalência de pé diabético e fatores associados nas unidades de saúde da família da cidade do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil, em 2005 Prevalence of diabetic foot and associated factors in the family health units of the city of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil, in 2005

Uma das mais importantes complicações crônicas do diabetes mellitus é o pé diabético. Por sua gravidade, pode levar a amputações de extremidades inferiores. Entretanto, por apresentar uma evolução lenta, permite o desenvolvimento de ações de prevenção e controle. A abrangência do Programa Saúde da Família, quanto a possibilidade de diagnóstico precoce tanto do diabetes como desta complicação favorece a condução de estudos epidemiológicos visando conhecer sua magnitude. Este artigo objetivou determinar a proporção de portadores de pé diabético atendidos nas unidades de saúde da família da cidade do Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. Desenvolveu-se um levantamento epidemiológico, com amostra probabilística dos prontuários de pacientes com diabetes cadastrados nos seis distritos sanitários do município. Foram analisadas relações entre as variáveis sócio-econômicas, condições de saúde e ocorrência de amputação a partir de 1.374 prontuários. Observou-se uma prevalência de 9% de portadores de pé diabético. Encontrou-se associação positiva e estatisticamente significativa com as variáveis: alcoolismo e ocorrência de amputação (p < 0,001). A prevalência de amputações em extremidades inferiores foi de 25,6% dentre os portadores da complicação e de 2,3% do total da amostra.<br>One of the most important chronic complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic foot. Severe progression of diabetes can lead to lower limb amputations. However, since evolution of the disease is slow, it is possible to implement prevention and control measures. The scope of the Family Health Program (in terms of the possibility of early diagnosis of diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot) favors epidemiological studies to determine the problem's magnitude. This article aimed to identify the proportion of individuals with diabetic foot treated at family health units in the city of Recife, Pernambuco State, Brazil. An epidemiological survey was conducted with a probabilistic sample of medical charts of diabetic patients (N = 1,374) enrolled in six health districts in the city, analyzing relations between socioeconomic variables, health conditions, and the occurrence of amputation. Diabetic foot was observed in 9% of the sample. There was a positive and statistically significant association with the variables alcoholism and amputation (p < 0.001). The prevalence of lower limb amputations was 25.6% among individuals with complications and 2.3% of the total sample