ABSTRACT
Introducción: Los brotes de leishmaniasis humana no son muy frecuentes en España, a pesar de ser considerada una enfermedad con carácter endémico. A través del presente estudio se comunica un brote nuevo detectado en la Comunidad Valenciana, con el objetivo principal de describir las características clinicoepidemiológicas y de referir las principales medidas, en materia de Salud Pública, instauradas para la contención del brote. Métodos: Se consideró caso a toda persona con domicilio en la localidad de Tous (en la Comunidad Valenciana), diagnóstico de leishmaniasis según los criterios clínicos y de laboratorio definidos por la Red de Vigilancia Epidemiológica, y fecha de inicio de síntomas entre el 1 de enero de 2012 y el 31 de diciembre de 2015. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las distintas variables epidemiológicas recogidas. Resultados: Desde la semana 28ª del año 2012 hasta la semana 30ª del 2013 se notificaron un total de 19 casos. La edad adulta fue la más afectada (73%). La forma clínica más frecuente fue la leishmaniasis de tipo cutáneo (89%). Un 79% de los casos se confirmaron mediante técnica de PCR; en 7 muestras pudo realizarse la tipificación, siendo el parásito identificado como Leishmania infantum. La evolución de los pacientes fue favorable tras el tratamiento físico (31%) o farmacológico (69%). El 37% presentaron algún tipo de lesión residual. Se aplicaron diversas medidas dirigidas a los profesionales sanitarios y al control del vector y del reservorio, así como recomendaciones generales a la población para la contención del brote. Conclusiones: Este brote de leishmaniasis cutánea confirma el carácter endémico y la elevada prevalencia de la enfermedad en la cuenca mediterránea. El tratamiento más utilizado fue el antimoniato de meglumina intralesional. Para el control del brote fue necesario desarrollar un plan integral de actuación (AU)
Introduction: Outbreaks of human leishmaniasis are not very common in Spain, despite being considered an endemic disease. In this study, a new outbreak in the Valencian Community is presented. Its principal objective is to describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and to present the main Public Health measures established to contain the outbreak. Methods: A case was defined as anyone residing in the village of Tous (in Valencian Community), diagnosed with leishmaniasis according to clinical and laboratory criteria, defined by the Epidemiological Surveillance Network, and date of symptoms onset between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013. A descriptive analysis was performed on the epidemiological variables collected. Results: A total of 19 cases were reported from the 28th week of 2012 to the 30th week of 2013. Adults were most affected by the disease (73%). The most common clinical form was cutaneous leishmaniasis (89%). More than three-quarters (79%) of cases were confirmed by PCR. Species typing was performed on seven samples, with the parasite Leishmania infantum being identified. Patient outcome was favourable after physical (31%), or pharmacological (69%) treatment. Some kind of residual damage was observed in 37% of cases. Different measures were applied, aimed at health professionals, and vector and reservoir control, as well as general recommendations to the population for the containment of the outbreak. Conclusions: This cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak confirms the endemic nature and the high prevalence of the disease in the Mediterranean area. The most commonly used treatment was intralesional meglumine antimoniate. A comprehensive plan of action had to be developed in order to control the outbreak (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Leishmania/pathogenicity , Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous/epidemiology , Epidemiologic Surveillance Services , Disease Outbreaks , Meglumine/therapeutic use , Communicable Disease Control/methodsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Outbreaks of human leishmaniasis are not very common in Spain, despite being considered an endemic disease. In this study, a new outbreak in the Valencian Community is presented. Its principal objective is to describe the clinical-epidemiological characteristics and to present the main Public Health measures established to contain the outbreak. METHODS: A case was defined as anyone residing in the village of Tous (in Valencian Community), diagnosed with leishmaniasis according to clinical and laboratory criteria, defined by the Epidemiological Surveillance Network, and date of symptoms onset between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2013. A descriptive analysis was performed on the epidemiological variables collected. RESULTS: A total of 19 cases were reported from the 28th week of 2012 to the 30th week of 2013. Adults were most affected by the disease (73%). The most common clinical form was cutaneous leishmaniasis (89%). More than three-quarters (79%) of cases were confirmed by PCR. Species typing was performed on seven samples, with the parasite Leishmania infantum being identified. Patient outcome was favourable after physical (31%), or pharmacological (69%) treatment. Some kind of residual damage was observed in 37% of cases. Different measures were applied, aimed at health professionals, and vector and reservoir control, as well as general recommendations to the population for the containment of the outbreak. CONCLUSIONS: This cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak confirms the endemic nature and the high prevalence of the disease in the Mediterranean area. The most commonly used treatment was intralesional meglumine antimoniate. A comprehensive plan of action had to be developed in order to control the outbreak.
