Investigação de áreas de risco como metodologia complementar ao controle da leishmaniose visceral canina / Investigation of risk areas as complemental methodology for the control of canine visceral leishmaniasis

Foram investigadas áreas de risco de leishmaniose visceral canina no município de Camaçari, Bahia. Um total de 278 cães distribuídos em 141 residências, pertencentes a 20 áreas de risco investigadas, foi examinado sorologicamente (ELISA). A soroprevalência geral foi 21,7 por cento (56/258) depois da exclusão dos 20 cães usados no início do estudo para delimitar a área. Os resultados respectivos das análises univariada e multivariada dos fatores relacionados à infecção do cão por Leishmania chagasi, a captura e distribuição do vetor na área e a metodologia usada para localizar os focos caninos são discutidos.

Risk areas of canine visceral leishmaniasis in the city of Camaçari, Bahia, Brazil, were investigated. A total of 278 dogs from 141 homes pertaining to 20 investigated risk areas was serologically screened (ELISA). The general seroprevalence was 21.7 percent (56/258) after exclusion of 20 dogs used at the beginning of the survey to limit the study area. The respective results of the univariated and multivariated analysis of factors related to infection of dogs by Leishmania chagasi, to vector distribu-tion pattern in the area and to the methodology used to localize the canine focuses are discussed.

Peridomestic risk factors for canine leishmaniasis in urban dwellings: new findings from a prospective study in Brazil.

Despite the wealth of information on the prevalence and correlates of canine Leishmania infection (CLI), data on its incidence are still sparse, and little is known regarding risk factors for CLI. We studied a cohort of dogs in an urban area in Brazil to determine whether incidence varied with age, breed, and environmental characteristics. The mean follow-up was 1.5 years, and the crude incidence rate was 11.8 cases/100 dog-years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.6-15.6). In the multivariate analysis, short fur was the strongest predictor of CLI (relative risk [RR] = 9.4). In addition, our data indicate that raising pigs (RR = 4.1), chickens (RR = 3.3), or other livestock (RR = 2.6) significantly increased the risk of CLI. Thus, suggesting control measures directed towards modifying the environmental factors favoring contact between vectors, reservoirs, and susceptible humans, such as proximity to pigpens or hen houses. Furthermore, conventional control programs of insecticidal spraying of human dwellings should also apply insecticide in and around animal sheds.