Parasitological and molecular diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis among indigenous peoples in the state of Roraima, Brazil

• Published in: Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical Vol. 53; p. e20200006
• Main Authors: Almeida, Joseneide Viana de, Souza, Cristian Ferreira de, Teixeira, Isabela de Oliveira, Valdivia, Hugo Oswaldo, Bartholomeu, Daniella Castanheira, Brazil, Reginaldo Peçanha
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 01-01-2020; Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (SBMT)
• Subjects: Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Diagnosis; Indians; Major; TROPICAL MEDICINE; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Indians; Diagnosis
• ISSN: 0037-8682; 1678-9849; 1678-9849
• DOI: 10.1590/0037-8682-0006-2020

INTRODUCTIONWe diagnose cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) among indigenous peoples of the state of Roraima, Brazil, and discuss some aspects of its epidemiology. METHODSSkin imprints, and lesion exudate samples collected on filter paper were examined using parasitological and molecular techniques, respectively. RESULTSOf 30 indigenous individuals, representing several ethnic groups, with suspected cases of CL, 27 (90%) tested positive for Leishmania spp. by PCR, and 21 (70%) by parasitological microscopy. CONCLUSIONSCutaneous leishmaniasis is indistinctly present among indigenous peoples from different regions of the state of Roraima. Individuals from seven of the ten existing ethnic groups in the state tested positive for CL, demonstrating the need for further investigation of the disease among these ethnic groups.