Epidemiological study on leishmaniasis in an area of environmental tourism and ecotourism, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, 2006-2007

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 42; no. 5; pp. 488 - 493
• Main Authors: Andrade, Ana Rachel Oliveira de, Nunes, Vânia Lúcia Brandão, Galati, Eunice Aparecida Bianchi, de Arruda, Carla Cardozo Pinto, Santos, Mirella Ferreira da Cunha, Rocca, Maria Elizabeth Gizi, Aquino, Ricardo Braga
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical 01-09-2009; Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT
• Subjects: Animals; Brazil - epidemiology; Breeding sites; Disease transmission; Dog Diseases - diagnosis; Dog Diseases - epidemiology; Dogs; Ecotourism; Female; Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; Insect Vectors - classification; Leishmaniasis - diagnosis; Leishmaniasis - epidemiology; Leishmaniasis - veterinary; Male; Population Density; Psychodidae - classification; Seasons; Seroepidemiologic Studies; Travel; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Urban areas; Urban Population; Vector-borne diseases; Brazil; Planalto da Bodoquena; Bodoquena plateau; Canine seroepidemiological survey; Leishmanioses; Inquérito soroepidemiológico canino; Leishmaniasis; Bonito; Phlebotomine fauna; Fauna flebotomínea
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849; 0037-8682
• DOI: 10.1590/S0037-86822009000500003

The aims of this study were to carry out a serological survey of canine leishmaniasis and identify the phlebotomine fauna in the urban area of Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul. The serological survey was conducted on a sample of 303 dogs, by means of the indirect immunofluorescence test. Phlebotomines were captured using automated light traps. The serological survey found that 30% of the dogs were seropositive, both from the center and from all districts of the town. A total of 2,772 specimens of phlebotomines were caught and the species most found was Lutzomyia longipalpis (90.4%), which corroborated its role as the vector of for canine visceral leishmaniasis in the region. Phlebotomines of the species Bichromomyia flaviscutellata (the main vector for Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis) and Nyssomyia whitmani (the vector for Leishmania (Viannia) brasiliensis) were also caught. The findings indicate the need for continuous epidemiological surveillance, with attention towards diminishing the vector breeding sites and the transmission of these diseases in that region.