Brotes emergentes de leptospirosis del Amazonas colombiano / Emerging leptospirosis outbreaks in the Colombian Department of Amazonas

Se describe por primera vez una serie de nueve casos con clínica indicativa de leptospirosis en el municipio Puerto Nariño en el departamento Amazonas, Colombia. Se muestran evidencias serológicas de exposición con Rickettsia del grupo de las fiebres manchadas. Los casos fueron clínicamente considerados como síndrome febril de origen desconocido. Se descartó infección por dengue y malaria. El diagnóstico de Leptospira se realizó mediante el método de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real. Igualmente, se detectó la presencia de anticuerpos contra rickettsias del grupo de las fiebres manchadas por inmunofluorescencia Indirecta. Finalmente, se realiza revisión del tema(AU)

A description is provided for the first time of a series of nine cases with a clinical examination suggestive of leptospirosis in the municipality of Puerto Nariño, Department of Amazonas, Colombia. Serological evidence is presented of exposure to Rickettsia, spotted fever group. The cases were clinically considered as febrile syndrome of unknown origin. Infection with dengue or malaria was ruled out. Diagnosis of leptospirosis was achieved by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Additionally, indirect immunofluorescence detected the presence of antibodies against rickettsia, spotted fever group. Finally, a review was conducted about the topic(AU)

Relationship between coffee cultivation practices in Colombia and exposure to infection with Leishmania.

The inhabitants of coffee-growing municipalities consistently report the highest annual rates of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Colombia. During the last two decades most Colombian coffee growers have changed from the traditional system of cultivation, where the crop is grown under different species of shade trees, to an intensified system where it is grown at high densities in full sunlight. This change may affect transmission of Leishmania spp. to humans in several ways, probably resulting from reduced human-vector contact. The responses of residents of traditional and intensified coffee plantations to the leishmanin skin test were compared to ascertain whether intensification has indeed affected Leishmania transmission. Although prevalence of infection was significantly higher (P< or =0.01) among residents of traditional plantations (26.8%) than among those of intensified ones (13.2%), no significant difference could be demonstrated with respect to incidence of infection at the time of the study. Similar rates of infection were found for men and women, although the incidence of infection was significantly higher among the latter in intensified plantations. Changes to the type of data collected and the data collection process will facilitate the evaluation of the long-term effects of intensification of coffee plantations on Leishmania transmission.

[Seroprevalence of Chagas disease and associated risk factors in a population of Morroa, Sucre]. / Seroprevalencia de la enfermedad de Chagas y factores de riesgo asociados en una población de Morroa, Sucre.

INTRODUCTION: Chagas disease is a major public health problem in Latin America. In Colombia, a large area has the ecoepidemiological conditions which favor the active transmition of this infection. OBJECTIVE: This study was undertaken in a population from the municipality of Morroa, Sucre Province, to evaluate risk factors and to determine the seroprevalence to Chagas disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was given to a sample population of 122 people classed as rural (n=76) or urban area (n=46). A serological screening was undertaken by Elisa test, with confirmation of seropositives with IHA (Chagatest) and parasitological confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Four people were positive by Elisa test (3.3%); however, they were negative by IHA and PCR. One of the four positives by Elisa was positive by indirect immuno flourescence (IFAT) as well. The sample showed a low presence of seropositives against Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the presence of parasite could not be confirmed by the PCR test. The main risk factors were houses thatched with palm roofs, clay floors, wood walls, and presence of domestic animal reservoirs. CONCLUSIONS: The study population presented risk factors for the establishment of active transmission. The presence of triatomines must be verified in this area and establishment of control measures are necessary for preventiving the resurgence of the Chagas disease in Morroa.

Seroprevalencia de la enfermedad de Chagas y factores de riesgo asociados en una población de Morroa, Sucre / Seroprevalence of Chagas disease and associated risk factors in a population of Morroa, Sucre

Introducción. La enfermedad de Chagas constituye un grave problema de salud pública en Latinoamérica; en Colombia existen en gran parte de su geografía las condiciones ecoepidemiológicas propicias para la transmisión activa de esta enfermedad. Objetivo. En este estudio fue evaluada una población del municipio de Morroa, departamento de Sucre, para identificar factores de riesgo y determinar la seroprevalencia a la enfermedad de Chagas. Materiales y métodos. A una muestra de 122 personas pertenecientes al área rural (n=76) y urbana (n=46), se les aplicó una encuesta epidemiológica y se les realizó un tamizaje serológico con la prueba Elisa, confirmación de seropositivos con hemoaglutinación indirecta (HAI) (Chagatest®) y reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) como prueba parasitológica confirmatoria. Resultados. Cuatro de las personas resultaron positivas para Elisa (3,28 por ciento); sin embargo, fueron negativas a HAI y PCR. La serología discordante fue definida con prueba de inmunofluorescencia indirecta (IFI), encontrándose una de las cuatro personas positivas. La población analizada mostró una baja presencia de anticuerpos anti–Trypanosoma cruzi. No fue posible determinar la presencia del parásito en sangre usando la prueba PCR. Los principales factores de riesgo presentes fueron casas con techos de palmas, piso de tierra, paredes de bahareque y madera, y la presencia de reservorios (animales domésticos). Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados indican que la zona estudiada presenta elementos de riesgo para el establecimiento de un ciclo de transmisión activa, se hace necesario verificar la presencia de triatominos en la zona de estudio y establecer medidas para prevenir la presencia de la enfermedad de Chagas en el área de Morroa, Sucre.

Introduction. Chagas disease is a major public health problem in Latin America. In Colombia, a large area has the ecoepidemiological conditions which favor the active transmition of this infection. Objective. This study was undertaken in a population from the municipality of Morroa, Sucre Province, to evaluate risk factors and to determine the seroprevalence to Chagas disease. Materials and methods. A questionnaire was given to a sample population of 122 people classed as rural (n=76) or urban area (n = 46). A serological screening was undertaken by Elisa test, with confirmation of seropositives with IHA (Chagatest®) and parasitological confirmation by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results. Four people were positive by Elisa test (3.3%); however, they were negative by IHA and PCR. One of the four positives by Elisa was positive by indirect immuno flourescence (IFAT) as well. The sample showed a low presence of seropositives against Trypanosoma cruzi. However, the presence of parasite could not be confirmed by the PCR test.The main risk factors were houses thatched with palm roofs, clay floors, wood walls, and presence of domestic animal reservoirs. Conclusions. The study population presented risk factors for the establishment of active transmission. The presence of triatomines must be verified in this area and establishment of control measures are necessary for preventiving the resurgence of the Chagas disease in Morroa.