Leishmania Infantum Chagasi in Northeastern Brazil: Asymptomatic Infection at the Urban Perimeter

Overview

Journal Am J Trop Med Hyg

Specialty Tropical Medicine

Date 2012 Jan 11

PMID 22232458

Citations 26

Authors

Iraci D Lima

Jose W Queiroz

Henio G Lacerda

Paula V S Queiroz

Nubia N Pontes

James D A Barbosa

Daniella R Martins

Jason L Weirather

Richard D Pearson

Mary E Wilson

Selma M B Jeronimo

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is endemic in large cities in Brazil, including Natal. We determined the prevalence of asymptomatic human infection with Leishmania infantum chagasi and associated environmental risks around Natal. Infection was detected by Leishmania skin test (LST) and anti-leishmanial antibodies in humans and anti-leishmanial antibodies in dogs. Amongst 345 humans, 24.6% were seropositive, and 38.6% were LST-positive. Prevalence of positive serology was similar in both sexes and across all ages. However, positive LST responses increased with age, suggesting that LST is long-lasting and cumulative. Multinomial logistic analysis showed that LST response varied with location (P = 0.007) and that males were more frequently LST-positive (P = 0.027). Indicators of lower socioeconomic status associated significantly with human infection. Furthermore, there was geographic coincidence of seropositive humans and dogs (r = 0.7926, P = 0.011). These data suggest that dog and human L. i. chagasi infection are intimately interrelated in environmental conditions associated with low income.

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