A follow-up study (2007–2018) on American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in the municipality of Caratinga, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: Spatial analyses and sand fly collection

Abstract

Background The municipality of Caratinga is an important endemic area for American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis (ATL) and no epidemiological studies were performed during the past two decades. Here, we analyzed the epidemiological situation and the geographical distribution of ATL cases in the municipality of Caratinga from 2007 to 2018 using geographic information systems (GIS) Also, we evaluated the impact of several demographic parameters in ATL distribution and the sand flies incriminated in its transmission. Methods All demographic information (gender, age, educational level, clinical form, diagnostic criteria and case evolution) used in this study was retrieved from the public health archives and confirmed in the State Health Services databases. All cases were analyzed using GIS software based on ATL distribution. Also, non-systematic sand fly collections and molecular detection of Leishmania were performed in the hotspots. Results and conclusions During the period, ATL cases continued and increased especially in the past years (2016–2018). Hotspots included urban Caratinga areas and the districts of Patrocínio de Caratinga and Sapucaia. The species Nyssomyia whitmani, Nyssomyia intermedia, Migonemyia migonei and Evandromyia cortelezzii complex were captured. However, ITS1-PCR did not detect Leishmania DNA in those insects. Based on our analyses, urbanization of ATL in Caratinga has occurred in the past years. The increase in the number of cases and vectors presence, it is recommended that health authorities focus on control measures in the most affected areas (Patrocínio of Caratinga and Sapucaia districts and urban Caratinga).

Increased Risk of American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in an Urban and Rural Area of Caratinga, Brazil between 2016 and 2021

“… 6 Studies published in the 1970s 6–8 and in 2021 5 showed that Caratinga is an ATL transmission area with rural and recent urban cases of the disease by Leishmania braziliensis . In our previous study, 5 those cases were in the north and southwest regions of the city overlapping with ATL proven vectors. This finding is of epidemiological relevance because of the urbanization of ATL is less common than visceral leishmaniasis.…”

“…In this study, an additional spatial analysis (2019–2019) following a previously published historical series (2007–2018) 5 is provided. We also collected sandflies in the municipality in urban and rural areas affected by ATL.…”

“…Data were analyzed using methodology reported previously, 5 with modifications. It is important to note that we added another 3-year period (2019–2021) to the previous historical series (2007–2018).…”

“…The municipality of Caratinga, located in Rio Doce Valley, east of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, urban characteristics surrounded by rural areas of coffee crops, where a high number of ATL cases are reported in occupationally exposed workers. 4 , 5 The main sandflies captured in these areas are Nyssomyia whitmani and Migonemyia migonei . 6 Studies published in the 1970s 6–8 and in 2021 5 showed that Caratinga is an ATL transmission area with rural and recent urban cases of the disease by Leishmania braziliensis .…”

Abundance of Lutzomyia longipalpis and Nyssomyia whitmani, the Leishmania spp. vectors in northeastern of Argentina: Are spatial and temporal changing patterns consistence?

“…longipalpis in the last few decades, has adapted to be an urban or peri‑urban species (Souza et al., 2002; Rangel & Lainson, 2009; Fernández et al., 2012 ; Pinheiro et al., 2013 ; Salomón et al., 2009b ; María Soledad Santini et al., 2013 ; Dorval et al., 2016 ), Ny. whitmani is a species of forest and rural areas (Souza et al., 2002; Rangel & Lainson, 2009; Fernández et al., 2012 ; Pinheiro et al., 2013 ; Salomón et al., 2009a ; Santini et al., 2013; Dorval et al., 2016 ), but also shows a trend to colonize periurban areas (Rangel & Lainson, 2009; Santini et al., 2013; Neves et al., 2021 ; Santini et al., 2018 ).…”