Epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil and in international border regions

Lara Camila De Oliveira,Neide Martins Moreira

doi:10.33448/rsd-v10i12.20684

Lara Camila De Oliveira, Neide Martins Moreira

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.33448/rsd-v10i12.20684

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Abstract

Objectives: To verify the number of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) cases in Brazil and its states and twin cities, with a focus on the state and twin city with the highest number of cases. We investigated social, demographic, laboratory and clinical aspects of these cases. Methodological design: We performed a descriptive study using a quantitative approach and data from 2010 to 2019 that were obtained through a public domain website, the Informatics Department of the Unified Health System. The incidence rate of VL cases was calculated per 100,000 inhabitants. software. Results: In Brazil, 35,886 VL cases were reported, with 2,834 cases in international border states and 148 cases in twin cities. The state and twin city with the highest number of cases were Mato Grosso do Sul (1,834 cases) and Corumbá (94 cases), respectively, with annual mean incidence rates of 6.4 and 8.3 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. In Mato Grosso do Sul and Corumbá, the disease was more frequent in male and brown-skinned individuals who had up to 8 years of education (age range: 1 to > 80 years old). Most of the cases occurred in urban areas, was diagnosed by laboratory tests and evolved to cure (p < 0.05). Conclusions: A high number of VL cases in Brazil was found during the period of study. The cases were distributed in 10 states with international borders and eight twin cities. These findings draw attention to the greater need for management programs to control and prevent VL.

Highlights

Leishmaniasis is the second most important group among vector-borne diseases in Brazil, second only to dengue in terms of the number of cases and emergence of epidemics (Brasil, 2014)
According to the time series of Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Brazil between January 2010 and December 2019, 35,886 human VL cases were reported in the Notifiable Diseases Information System (Sistema de Informações dos Agravos de Notificação [SINAN]), of which 2,834 cases were in states with international borders
The state of Mato Grosso do Sul had the highest number of notifications (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Leishmaniasis is the second most important group among vector-borne diseases in Brazil, second only to dengue in terms of the number of cases and emergence of epidemics (Brasil, 2014). Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is the most severe clinical form of leishmaniasis. It is classified as a chronic and systemic disease that, when undiagnosed and untreated, is fatal in more than 95% of cases (Maia-Elkhoury et al, 2021). Even with actions of the Visceral Leishmaniasis Surveillance and Control Program (Brasil, 2016a) that targets entomological and animal reservoirs and the treatment of diagnosed human cases, Brazil still has approximately 96% of VL cases in Latin America (Maia-Elkhoury et al, 2021). One can question whether these actions are sufficiently effective to reduce the incidence of VL in Brazil (Costa et al, 2018; Salomón et al, 2015; Oliveira et al, 2016; Lopez et al, 2021)

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