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This study demonstrated the movement of T. cruzi in the studied area, by the presence of vectors and naturally infected domestic reservoirs. The mapping of the studied rural area demonstrates the risk of disease transmission.

Recent studies have provided some insights into Leishsmania (Leishmania) amazonensis muscular infection in dogs, although, muscular disease due to leishmaniasis has been poorly documented. The aim of our study was to evaluate involvement of Leishmania in muscular infection of two distinct mouse strains (BALB/c and C3H.He), with different genetic backgrounds. BALB/c mice, susceptible to Leishmania infection, showed, at the beginning of infection, a great number of infected macrophages among muscle fibers; however, in C3H.He resistant mice, muscle fibers were less damaged than in BALB/c mice, but some parasitized macrophages could be seen among them. A follow up of the infection showed an intense inflammatory infiltrate mainly composed of infected macrophages in BALB/c muscles and the presence of amastigotes within muscle fibers; while C3H.He mice exhibited a moderate inflammatory infiltrate among skeletal muscle fibers and an absence of amastigotes. Total destruction of muscles was observed in BALB/c mice in the late phase of infection (day 90) while C3H.He mice showed a process of muscle repair. We concluded that: (1) the muscles of BALB/c mice were more affected by leishmaniasis than those of C3/H.He mice; (2) Leishmania amastigotes are capable of infecting muscular fibers, as observed in BALB/c mice; (3) as inflammatory infiltrate is less intense in C3H.He mice these animals are capable of restoring muscular fibers.

Introduction: An awareness of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is necessary to encourage the population to participate in preve ntion and control in collaboration with more effi cient, centrally organized health programs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the awareness of the riverside population regarding VL and the association between awareness and the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). Methods: In total, 71 people living in riverside areas in the City of Mossoró in State of Rio Grande do Norte participated of the study, and 71 dogs were tested for CVL by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Association analysis of several variables related to knowledge of the riverside population regarding CVL positivity was performed, yielding odds ratios (OR) and 95% confi dence intervals (CI), and signifi cance was determined using chi-square (χ2) and Fisher's exact tests. Results: Among individuals whose dogs tested positive for CVL, 60% did not know the cure for CVL, and these subjects were three times more likely to have a dog test positive for CVL than those who were aware the cure for CVL. Knowledge of CVL cure was the only variable that remained in the logistic model after the successive removal of variables, with an adjusted OR of 3.11 (95%CI: 1.1-8,799; p=0.032). Conclusions: Insuffi cient awareness regarding VL in riverside areas with CVL-positive dogs was associated with increased rates of canine infection, which suggests that changes in habits and the adoption of attitudes and preventive practices may contribute to the control and prevention of this disease. This study reinforces the need to invest in better health education programs regarding VL.