Leishmaniasis tegumentaria y flebótomos en la localidad de Colonia Santa Rosa del norte de Argentina / Tegumentary leishmaniasis and sandflies in Colonia Santa Rosa locality in northern Argentina

RESUMEN

Resumen La leishmaniasis tegumentaria (LT) es causada por parásitos del género Leishmania y transmitida por especies de flebótomos, insectos pertenecientes al orden Diptera, familia Psychodidae. El objetivo de este trabajo fue analizar la presencia de casos de LT y su variación temporal entre 1985 y 2019, las formas clínicas, la ubicación de las lesiones en los pacientes y la presencia de flebótomos en la localidad de Colonia Santa Rosa, del norte de Argentina. Los pacientes se diagnosticaron mediante frotis e intradermorreacción de Montenegro. Se colocaron trampas CDC en 14 sitios en el horario de 19 a 7. Se diagnosticaron 120 casos de LT y la prevalencia global fue del 0,75% (^16.000 habitantes). Los pacientes presentaron formas cutáneas simples y múltiples (88,79%) y mucocutáneas (10,83%). Las lesiones cutáneas fueron más frecuentes en extremidades inferiores. Del total de flebótomos, Nyssomyia neivai fue la especie predominante (95%), y, en menor proporción, estuvieron presentes Migonemyia migonei (1,9%), complejo cortelezzii (1,3%) y Evandromyia sallesi (0,09%). La persistente ocurrencia de casos y la presencia de flebótomos en la citada localidad nos sugiere la transmisión endémica en la zona. Esto senala la necesidad de planificar medidas preventivas y de control de la LT en el norte de Argentina.

ABSTRACT

Abstract Tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania and transmitted by the sandfly species, insects belonging to the order Diptera, family Psychodidae. Historically, the most endemic area of TL in Argentina has been the northern region. The aim of this work was to analyze the presence and temporal variation of TL cases reported between 1985 and 2019 in Colonia Santa Rosa locality, northern Argentina. Furthermore, its clinical forms were characterized and sandflies were captured. Patients were diagnosed by smear and the Montenegro skin test. For sampling, CDC light traps were placed at 14 sites from 7pm to 7am. The correlation between vegetation cover and sandfly abundance was also studied. One hundred and twenty TL cases were diagnosed and the overall prevalence was 0.75% (M6 000 inhabitants). Patients presented simple and multiple cutaneous leishmaniasis (88.79%) and the mucocutaneous form (10.83%). Skin lesions were more frequent on the lower extremities (46.73%). Of the total number of sandflies, Nyssomyia neivai (95%) was the predominant species followed by Migonemyia migonei (1.9%), cortelezzii complex (1.3%) and Evandromyia sallesi (0.09%). The persistent occurrence of cases and the presence of sandflies in the locality suggest the existence of endemic transmission in the area. This highlights the need to design prevention and control measures for TL in northern Argentina.