Epidemiological profile of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic region in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the dynamics and profile of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in an old colonization area in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Health departments of municipalities in the Central-Southern region that had notified cases to the Ministry of Health's Notifable Diseases Information System between 1997 and 2002 were contacted to obtain data. Out of the 119 cases recorded, 51 patients were visited for an interview and inspection of the environment. The cases of ACL exhibited a profile similar to that observed in other Brazilian cities, affecting individuals of both genders, all age groups and different occupational categories, especially students. Risk activities were reported by 56.9% of the interviewees and 84.3% had never left their homeland. Water courses, chicken coops, bamboo plantations and different fruit trees including banana plants and mango trees were frequently observed in the surrounding environment. Most of the interviewees had not noted any environmental changes prior to becoming sick. Domestic animals were present in all homes, but only dogs presented lesions suggestive of the disease. These were on different occasions that rarely preceded or coincided with the human cases. The possible existence of distinct transmission cycles, i.e. one for canines and another for humans, was discussed.

Epidemiological profile of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic region in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil / Perfil epidemiológico da leishmaniose cutânea em uma região endêmica do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

The objective of the present study was to investigate the dynamics and profile of American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ACL) in an old colonization area in the State of Rio de Janeiro. Health departments of municipalities in the Central-Southern region that had notified cases to the Ministry of Health's Notifiable Diseases Information System between 1997 and 2002 were contacted to obtain data. Out of the 119 cases recorded, 51 patients were visited for an interview and inspection of the environment. The cases of ACL exhibited a profile similar to that observed in other Brazilian cities, affecting individuals of both genders, all age groups and different occupational categories, especially students. Risk activities were reported by 56.9 percent of the interviewees and 84.3 percent had never left their homeland. Water courses, chicken coops, bamboo plantations and different fruit trees including banana plants and mango trees were frequently observed in the surrounding environment. Most of the interviewees had not noted any environmental changes prior to becoming sick. Domestic animals were present in all homes, but only dogs presented lesions suggestive of the disease. These were on different occasions that rarely preceded or coincided with the human cases. The possible existence of distinct transmission cycles, i.e. one for canines and another for humans, was discussed.

Este estudo teve como objetivo conhecer a dinâmica e o perfil da Leishmaniose Tegumentar Americana (LTA) em uma área de colonização antiga do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. As secretarias de saúde dos municípios da Região Centro-Sul que notificaram casos ao Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação do Ministério da Saúde entre os anos de 1997 e 2002 foram contactadas para obtenção dos dados. Do total de 119 casos registrados, 51 pacientes foram visitados para realização de entrevista e observação do ambiente. A LTA exibiu perfil semelhante ao de outras cidades brasileiras, acometendo indivíduos de ambos os sexos, de todas as faixas etárias e diversas categorias ocupacionais, principalmente estudantes. A realização de atividades de risco foi relatada por 56,9 por cento dos entrevistados e 84,3 por cento não se deslocaram do município de residência. No ambiente circundante havia, frequentemente, cursos d'água, galinheiros, bambuzais e diversas frutíferas, entre elas: bananeiras e mangueiras. A maioria dos entrevistados não observou mudanças ambientais anteriormente ao adoecimento. Animais domésticos estiveram presentes em todos os domicílios, mas apenas cães evidenciaram lesões sugestivas da doença em ocasiões diversas, raramente antecedendo ou coincidindo com casos humanos. A possibilidade de existirem ciclos de transmissão distintos, um canino e outro, humano, foi discutida.

Evidence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ticks were obtained from dogs from February to September of 1999 at weekly intervals, in the County of Piraí, State of Rio de Janeiro. Four hundred seventy four ixodids were taxonomically identified, 103 Amblyomma cajennense, seven Amblyomma ovale, 209 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 155 Amblyomma sp. An hemolymph test associated with Giemsa's stain revealed two specimens in 163 ticks tested (R. sanguineus and Amblyomma sp), containing rickettsia-like organisms. Direct immunofluorescence verified the presence of spotted fever group rickettsia in one specimen of R. sanguineus. Considering the limited information on rickettsiosis in Brazil, principally in relation to the vectors involved in perpetuating it in foci, these preliminary results give us an idea on the importance of infection in ticks, allowing to expand our knowledge on this zoonosis.

Evidence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ticks were obtained from dogs from February to September of 1999 at weekly intervals, in the County of Piraí, State of Rio de Janeiro. Four hundred seventy four ixodids were taxonomically identified, 103 Amblyomma cajennense, seven Amblyomma ovale, 209 Rhipicephalus sanguineus, and 155 Amblyomma sp. An hemolymph test associated with Giemsa's stain revealed two specimens in 163 ticks tested (R. sanguineus and Amblyomma sp), containing rickettsia-like organisms. Direct immunofluorescence verified the presence of spotted fever group rickettsia in one specimen of R. sanguineus. Considering the limited information on rickettsiosis in Brazil, principally in relation to the vectors involved in perpetuating it in foci, these preliminary results give us an idea on the importance of infection in ticks, allowing to expand our knowledge on this zoonosis

Detection of poxvirus in cattle associated with human cases in the State of Rio de Janeiro: preliminary report

This preliminary report describes human and cow cases of poxvirus that recently ocurred in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The electron microscopic findings were consistent with parapoxviral and orthopoxviral infection. Orthopoxvirus strains were isolated from human and cow cases. Detailed viral characterization by means of genetical techniques is under investigation. Based on these informations, poxviral diseases should be also considered an emerging viral zoonosis that can affect human beings.