Increasing potential risk for American visceral leishmaniasis in Amapá, Brazil

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2016 Nov-Dec;49(6):772-773. doi: 10.1590/0037-8682-0308-2016.

Abstract

Introduction:: The present note discusses some evidence on the increasing potential risk for American visceral leishmaniasis (AVL) transmission in the Northern Brazilian State of Amapá, the Guianan-Amazon biome.

Methods: Early and present data about AVL were collected, including our recent entomological findings.

Results:: The spread of the sand fly vector Lutzomyia longipalpis, and a sylvatic reservoir host, the crab-eating fox Cerdocyon thous in that region represents important findings related to the epidemiology of AVL in the Guianan-Amazon biome.

Conclusions:: These observations suggest that Brazilian authorities need to develop surveillance strategies in these risk areas.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Disease Reservoirs*
  • Foxes / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Insect Vectors / parasitology*
  • Leishmania donovani / isolation & purification*
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / epidemiology
  • Leishmaniasis, Visceral / transmission*
  • Male
  • Psychodidae / parasitology*