Considerations of potential vectors and animal reservoirs in an emerging cutaneous leishmaniasis area in São Domingos ranch, Paraná State in Southearn Brazil

The aim of this study was to better understand the dynamics of Leishmania sand flies and reservoirs in São Domingos ranch, Arapongas municipality, Paraná State, an anthropic environment in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Sand flies were collected in wild animal burrows, residences and in the forest, with Falcão light trap (FA), Shannon trap (SH) and quadrangular pyramidal trap (QP). The search for Leishmania was made on sand flies, biological samples of wild rodents and dogs using PCR and culture; while parasite direct search (DS) was carried out on animal skin lesions; infection of gold hamsters; and indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test in dog blood samples. Eighty eight (88) sand flies were collected with FA traps and 526 sand flies using the SH trap, with a predominance of Pintomyia fischeri. Six hundred and one (601) specimens of Brumptomyia brumpti were collected in armadillo burrows, with the QP trap. Seventeen (17) wild rodents were captured, six of them had skin lesions with characteristics of Leishmania infection. Even though no positive test was found for Leishmania, epidemiological surveillance should be maintained, remembering that the human buildings are situated only 50 m from the forest. Considering the species of wild animals and sandflies found in São Domingos, the negative test found do not exclude the existence of the Leishmania transmission cycle in this preservation area

Disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis in Southern Brazil

The authors report a case of disseminated cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, in a 55 years old patient with 1,119 lesions distributed throughout the body. The patient resides in Sabáudia municipality, North of Paraná State, Southern Brazil, where there was no previous report of this form of leishmaniasis. Treatment with meglumine antimoniate was successful, although the diagnosis was made only five months later

Leishmaniose tegumentar americana humana e canina no Município de Mariluz, Estado do Paraná, Brasil Human and canine American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mariluz, Paraná State, Brazil

Relata-se a ocorrência de um surto de leishmaniose tegumentar americana no ano de 2002, no Município de Mariluz, mesorregião noroeste do Estado do Paraná, Brasil. Das 38 pessoas investigadas, quatro tinham lesões cicatrizadas, 10 em cicatrização e 24 tinham lesões ativas. Dos 126 cães investigados, 20 (15,9%) tinham lesões sugestivas e 24 (19%) tiveram sorologia positiva. Os parasitos isolados de dois pacientes e de três cães foram identificados como Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis serodema I. Os flebotomíneos coletados foram identificados como Nyssomyia whitmani, N. neivai e Migonemyia migonei. Considerando que a área onde ocorreram os casos é semelhante a outras de colonização antiga no Estado do Paraná, acredita-se que as alterações ambientais e as matas remanescentes propiciam a manutenção do ciclo enzoótico do parasito e a transmissão para o homem e para os animais domésticos, mantendo o caráter endêmico da leishmaniose tegumentar americana.An outbreak of American cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported in 2002 in Mariluz, northwestern Paraná State, Brazil. Of 38 humans who were investigated, four had healed lesions, ten showed lesions in the healing process, and 24 had active lesions. Of the 126 dogs, 20 (15.9%) presented suggestive lesions and 24 (19%) had positive serology. Parasites isolated from two patients and three dogs were identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis serodeme I. The captured sand flies were identified as Nyssomyia whitmani, N. neivai, and Migonemyia migonei. Considering that the region where the cases occurred is similar to other old human settlements in Paraná State, the environmental alterations and remaining forests facilitate the maintenance of the parasite's enzootic cycle and transmission to humans and domestic animals, thereby maintaining the endemicity of American cutaneous leishmaniasis

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

Investigation of natural infection by Leishmania in sandflies of Paraná State, Southern Brazil

The purpose of this work was to verify the occurrence of Leishmania in naturally infected sandflies. The insects were collected with Falcão, Shannon and HP light-traps, in Doutor Camargo and Maringá municipalities between November 2004 and October 2005. Of the 11,033 sandflies collected in Doutor Camargo, 2,133 surviving females were dissected, particularly those of the Nyssomyia neivai species (86.87%). In Maringá, 136 sandflies were collected, of which 79 N. whitmani females and 1 Migonemyia migonei female were dissected. The dissected insects were identified and stored in the pools of 10 specimens. The PCR was carried out on 1,190 females of N. neivai and 190 of N. whitmani from Doutor Camargo, and on 30 of N. whitmani from Maringá, using the primers MP1L/MP3H. The natural infection by Leishmania in sandflies was not confirmed by either of the methods used. The results suggested the low natural infection rate of sandflies by Leishmania in these areas, corroborating other studies carried out in endemic areas of ACL.<br>Procurou-se verificar a ocorrência de flebotomíneos naturalmente infectados por Leishmania. Estes insetos foram coletados com armadilhas luminosas de Falcão, Shannon e HP, nos municípios de Doutor Camargo e Maringá, de novembro de 2004 a outubro de 2005. Coletaram-se 11.033 flebotomíneos em Doutor Camargo e destes 2.133 fêmeas foram dissecadas, especialmente de Nyssomyia neivai (86,87%). Em Maringá coletaram-se 136 flebotomíneos, dos quais foram dissecadas 79 fêmeas de N. whitmani e 1 Migonemyia migonei. Parte das fêmeas dissecadas foi armazenada em pools de 10 espécimes. A PCR, utilizando os iniciadores MP1L/MP3H, foi realizada em 1.190 fêmeas de N. neivai e 190 de N. whitmani de Doutor Camargo e 30 N. whitmani de Maringá. Não se constatou a infecção natural por Leishmania pelos métodos utilizados. Estes resultados indicam que é baixa a taxa de infecção natural de flebotomíneos por Leishmania, corroborando outros trabalhos realizados em áreas endêmicas de LTA, inclusive no Paraná

Casos alóctones de leishmaniose visceral canina no Paraná, Brasil: implicações epidemiológicas

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo pesquisar a ocorrência de leishmaniose visceral em cães com sinais clínicos compatíveis, procedentes de clínicas veterinárias das diferentes regiões do Estado do Paraná e em caso positivo verificar a autoctonia dos mesmos. Dos animais com suspeita clínica e epidemiológica de LV, foi coletada amostra de sangue para realização de hemograma, provas bioquímicas, sorologia, cultura do parasito, PCR e RAPD. Os cães portadores de quadro clínico, como febre, hiperqueratose, onicogrifose e emagrecimento exagerado, tiveram gânglio poplíteo e/ou medula óssea puncionados e o conteúdo inoculado em meio de cultivo NNN. A extração de DNA do parasito em sangue e cultura foi realizada pelo método fenol/clorofórmio. A amplificação de DNA do protozoário foi feita por PCR e RAPD. Dos 24 animais analisados, o parasito foi isolado em 19 cães. As técnicas moleculares permitiram identificar 14 isolados como L. (Leihmania) infantum e cinco como L. (Viannia) braziliensis. A análise epidemiológica dos casos permitiu determinar o local de transmissão e definir que todos os cães com LV diagnosticados eram casos alóctones, ou seja eram importados de regiões endêmicas. Sugere-se que a migração dos cães de regiões endêmicas para regiões indenes poderá permitir a instalação de novos focos, desde que o agente encontre ecótopo adequado e vetor específico (Lutzomyia longipalpis)

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