Environmental and animal characteristics as factors associated with American cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural locations with presence of dogs, Brazil.

The aim of the study was to investigate the importance of dogs, other domesticated animals and environmental characteristics as risk factors in the epidemiology of American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL). A retrospective survey of cases of human ACL in the last ten years and visits to homes in rural locations were carried out in the municipality of Arapongas (southern Brazil) from 2008 to 2010. ACL in humans was significantly associated with a distance of up to 25 meters from the residence to a forest area (OR 5.08; 95% CI: 1.35-21.04), undergrowth area (OR 6.80; 95% CI: 1.69-45.33) and stream (OR 5.87; 95% CI: 1.15-24.59); banana plants near the residence (OR 5.98; 95% CI: 1.49-39.84), absence of ceiling below the roof in the residence (OR 7.30; 95% CI: 1.26-158.1), the dumping of trash in the forest area (OR 26.33; 95% CI: 7.32-93.46) and presence of ACL in dogs in the surrounding area (OR 4.39; 95% CI: 1.37-13.45). In dogs, ACL was associated with a distance of 25 to 50 meters and 51 to 100 meters, respectively, from the residence to a forest area (OR 2.59; 95% CI: 1.08-5.98; OR 3.29; 95% CI: 1.64-6.62), the presence of a stream up to 25 m from the residence (OR 6.23; 95% CI: 2.34-16.54) and banana plants near the residence (OR 0.45; 95% CI: 0.25-0.80). In the locations studied in the municipality of Arapongas (Brazil), the results reveal that canine infection increases the risk of human infection by ACL and the characteristics surrounding the residence increase the risk of infection in both humans and dogs. Thus, integrated environmental management could be a useful measure to avoid contact between humans and phlebotomines

Results of laboratory exams used for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in canine population in rural locations of the municipality of Arapongas, State of Paraná, Brazil.

<p>PCR: polymerase chain reaction.</p><p>IIF: indirect immunofluorescence reaction.</p

Environmental characteristics as risk factors for human and canine cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural locations of the municipality of Arapongas, State of Paraná, Brazil.

<p>OR: Odds Ratio, CI: Confidence interval, * Significant association (p<0.05).</p

Leishmaniose tegumentar americana em municípios da região noroeste do estado do Paraná: utilização de sensoriamento remoto para análise do tipo de vegetação e os locais de ocorrência da doença American cutaneous leishmaniasis in municipalities in the northwestern region of Paraná State: use of remote sensing for analysis of vegetation types and places with disease occurrence

A leishmaniose tegumentar americana, doença endêmica da região noroeste do Paraná, é transmitida por flebotomíneos ao homem e a animais como cães, tatu, gambá e roedores silvestres. A doença vem ocorrendo em locais de derrubadas de matas e às margens de rios e lagoas com vegetação arbórea, onde o homem entra em contato com o inseto infectado. Esta doença constitui-se num problema de saúde pública devido à ocorrência de surtos epidêmicos em todo o Paraná. Em decorrência da importância de se conhecer áreas endêmicas, este trabalho utilizou dados de fichas epidemiológicas de pacientes atendidos no período de 1999 a 2004 associado às áreas de desmatamento identificadas por técnicas e produtos de sensoriamento remoto por satélite. Os resultados mostraram que a ocorrência de casos em municípios da região coincidem com as prováveis áreas supostas de infecção dos pacientes.<br>American cutaneous leishmaniasis, an endemic disease in the northwestern region of Paraná, Brazil, is transmitted by phlebotomines to man and animals like dogs, armadillos, opossums and wild rodents. This disease has been occurring in places where forests have been felled and on the banks of rivers and lakes with arboreal vegetation, where man comes into contact with infected insects. This disease is a public health problem because of the occurrence of epidemic outbreaks throughout Paraná. Because of the importance of finding out about endemic areas, this study used epidemiological file data on patients attended between 1999 and 2004. These data were correlated with areas of forest felling that were identified by means of satellite remote sensing techniques and products. The results showed that the occurrences of cases in the municipalities of this region coincided with the presumed likely areas for patient infection