Using kernel density estimates to investigate lymphatic filariasis in northeast Brazil.

After more than 10 years of the Global Program to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF) in Brazil, advances have been seen, but the endemic disease persists as a public health problem. The aim of this study was to describe the spatial distribution of lymphatic filariasis in the municipality of Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Pernambuco, Brazil. An epidemiological survey was conducted in the municipality, and positive filariasis cases identified in this survey were georeferenced in point form, using the GPS. A kernel intensity estimator was applied to identify clusters with greater intensity of cases. We examined 23 673 individuals and 323 individuals with microfilaremia were identified, representing a mean prevalence rate of 1·4%. Around 88% of the districts surveyed presented cases of filarial infection, with prevalences of 0-5·6%. The male population was more affected by the infection, with 63·8% of the cases (P<0·005). Positive cases were found in all age groups examined. The kernel intensity estimator identified the areas of greatest intensity and least intensity of filarial infection cases. The case distribution was heterogeneous across the municipality. The kernel estimator identified spatial clusters of cases, thus indicating locations with greater intensity of transmission. The main advantage of this type of analysis lies in its ability to rapidly and easily show areas with the highest concentration of cases, thereby contributing towards planning, monitoring, and surveillance of filariasis elimination actions. Incorporation of geoprocessing and spatial analysis techniques constitutes an important tool for use within the GPELF.

The present situation regarding lymphatic filariasis in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil.

A cross-sectional population-based survey on the occurrence of lymphatic filariasis was carried out in the municipality of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. 7,650 individuals of both sexes were examined (from 1,416 households) of whom six tested positive for microfilaria according to the thick blood diagnostic test. The age of the individuals examined varied from 0 to 98 (averaging 26.6 years), whilst the age of the microfilaria-positive individuals varied from 11 to 29, averaging 22.5 years. Five of the six positive cases were male. These cases were residents of the following areas: Pista Preta (one case); Ponte dos Carvalhos (four cases); and Pontezinha (one case). This last case from Pontezinha was autochthonous. Of the individuals examined, 109 (1.4%) cited complaints relating to filariasis. These results suggest that filariasis is being transmitted in the municipality of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, a finding that establishes the need to carry out disease control activities, and to collaborate with the planning of the national programme for the elimination of filariasis.

The present situation regarding lymphatic filariasis in Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil / A situação da filariose linfática em Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil

A cross-sectional population-based survey on the occurrence of lymphatic filariasis was carried out in the municipality of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, Northeast Brazil. 7,650 individuals of both sexes were examined (from 1,416 households) of whom six tested positive for microfilaria according to the thick blood diagnostic test. The age of the individuals examined varied from 0 to 98 (averaging 26.6 years), whilst the age of the microfilaria-positive individuals varied from 11 to 29, averaging 22.5 years. Five of the six positive cases were male. These cases were residents of the following areas: Pista Preta (one case); Ponte dos Carvalhos (four cases); and Pontezinha (one case). This last case from Pontezinha was autochthonous. Of the individuals examined, 109 (1.4 percent) cited complaints relating to filariasis. These results suggest that filariasis is being transmitted in the municipality of Cabo de Santo Agostinho, a finding that establishes the need to carry out disease control activities, and to collaborate with the planning of the national programme for the elimination of filariasis.

Foi realizado um estudo seccional de base populacional, sobre a ocorrência da filariose linfática bancroftiana no município do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, Pernambuco, nordeste do Brasil. Foram examinados 7.650 indivíduos de ambos os sexos, residentes em 1.416 domicílios, dos quais 7.644 indivíduos foram identificados como negativos para filariose e seis casos positivos. A idade dos indivíduos examinados variou de 0 a 98 anos (média de 26,6 anos), enquanto que a idade dos positivos variou de 11 a 29 anos, média de 22,5 anos. Cinco dos seis casos eram do sexo masculino. Os indivíduos microfilarêmicos eram residentes na localidade de Pista Preta (01 caso) e nos distritos de Ponte dos Carvalhos (04 casos) e de Pontezinha (01 caso), sendo esse ultimo autóctone. Entre as pessoas examinadas 109 (1,4 por cento) apresentaram queixas clínicas relacionadas à filariose. Esses resultados apontam para a existêcia de transmissão da filariose no município do Cabo de Santo Agostinho, dado esse que determina a necessidade de se estabeceler atividades de controle da endemia, assim como vem colaborar no planejamento do programa nacional de eliminação, uma vez que consegue delimitar áreas contíguas na região metropolitana do Recife com e sem transmissão filarial.