VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS IN PETROLINA, STATE OFPERNAMBUCO, BRAZIL, 2007-2013

• Published in: Revista do Instituto de Medicina Tropical de São Paulo Vol. 58
• Main Authors: Andreina de Carvalho ARAUJO, Nara Nagle Vieira Matos GONÇALVES, Filipe DANTAS-TORRES, Fernando FERREIRA, Mauricio Claudio HORTA
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Universidade de São Paulo (USP) 01-01-2016
• Subjects: Endemic diseases; Epidemiology; Visceral leishmaniasis
• ISSN: 1678-9946
• DOI: 10.1590/S1678-9946201658029

Visceral leishmaniasis is a life-threatening disease of great public health relevance in Brazil. The municipality of Petrolina is an endemic area in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil. This study was designed to assess the recent expansion of VL in the municipality ofPetrolina, Pernambuco. Patients data were obtained from the Brazilian National Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). A total of 111 records from 2007 to 2013 were investigated, of which 69 were residents in Petrolina. The disease has predominantly affected 1-4 year old children (34.8%). Most of the patients were males (59.4%). Co-infection with human immunodeficiency virus occurred in 14.5% of the cases. The criterion most frequently used was the clinical and epidemiological confirmation (59.4%), with clinical cure in 78.3% of cases and one fatal outcome. Visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in Petrolina with transmission levels varying from moderate to high. The present study has shown the precariousness of the use of diagnostic tests in primary healthcare units, and this misuse has interfered with the diagnosis and treatment of cases.