Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical (Dec 2019)

Exposure to Leishmania spp. infection and Lutzomyia spp. in individuals living in an area endemic for visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

  • Karina Yukie Hirata,
  • Edenilson Borges de Oliveira Sobrinho,
  • Lais Rigon,
  • Yuri Tani Utsunomiya,
  • Thaise Yumie Tomokane,
  • Márcia Dalastra Laurenti,
  • Mary Marcondes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0037-8682-0320-2019
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 53

Abstract

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Abstract INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate human exposure to Leishmania spp. infection and sandflies in an area endemic for the disease. METHODS: The presence of antibodies specific for Leishmania spp. and saliva of Lutzomyia spp. and that of L. infantum DNA in blood were evaluated. RESULTS: Antibodies against Leishmania spp. and sandfly saliva were observed in 20.8% and 37.7% of individuals, respectively. DNA of Leishmania spp. was amplified from the blood of one patient. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that Leishmania spp. infection may be underdiagnosed in this area.

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