Observations of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Brazil, after five years of prophylaxis

Abstract

In 1974 several cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis were diagnosed in Jacarepaguá, Rio de Janeiro, RJ (Brazil). At that time the patients were treated, the houses and surroundings were sprayed with DDT, and this resulted in the interruption of transmission. The emergence of new cases in 1979 led to a resumption to the study of some characteristics of one of the localities (Camorim) in this area. Eighteen new human cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis and one in a dog were confirmed between June 1979 and August 1981. One thousand hundred and forty nine sand flies were collected (11.4% females and 88.6% males) with predominance of Lutzomyia intermedia (95%). The study of the human cases led to the supposition that the transmission of the disease may take place in the domiciliary or peridomiciliary environment. It is believed that, at least for the studied area, the control measures taken in 1974 were efficient for four years.