Experimental canine mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis)

Four mongrel dogs were intradermically inoculated with 3 x 10**6 Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis promastigotes. Three out of the four animals developed cutaneous lesions respectively 4, 7, and 8 months after. The fourth dog did not develop lesion at the inoculation site, but a mucosal ulcer was seen 16 months after the inoculum. Clinical, histopathological, and serological findings were similar to what is found in natural canine infection as well as in the human disease. These results suggest that dogs may be an useful model for L. b. braziliensis infection.

Indirect immunofluorescence test in new world Leishmaniasis: serological and clinical relation-ship

The indirect immunofluorescence test (IF) for anti-Leishmania antibodies (IgC and IgM) was performed with sera form the following groups of individuals: 214 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, 28 healthy subjects with positive Montenegro's skin test (MST), 29 healthy subjects with negativeMST and 16 visceral leishmaniasis patients. The first four groups came from a suburban area of Rio de Janeiro (Jacarepaguá) where cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis is endemic. It was observed that IF-IgM titers were significantly higher amongst the cutaneous leishmaniasis patients with less than four months of disease as compared to those with longer periods and that IF-IgG titers were significantly higher in patients with multiple lesions as compared to those with single lesions. The visceral leishmaniasis patients had IF-IgG titers significantly higher than those from cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. A group of 28 individuals selected amongst the 214 cutaneous leishmaniasis patients had their IF-titers (IgG and IgM) compared to those of the two control groups of healthy subjects from the endemic area, respectively with positive and negative MST. Significantly higher titers of IF-IgG and IF-IgM were found in the group with active disease. The same group of patients showed IF-IgG titers significantly lower at the end of the antimonial therapy than those observed during this tratment.

An outbreak of american cutaneous leishmaniasis (Leishmania braziliensis braziliensis) in a periurban area of Rio de Janeiro city, Brazil: clinical and epidemiological studies

From July 1984 to September 1986, 105 cases of American cutaneous leishmaniasis were studied in a locality closely situated to an urbanized area of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Settement in this area was established at least 20 years ago but the first cases were noted six months prior to the beginning of this study. Cases were almost exlusively cutaneous and ulcerated, with one to six months of evolution. Montenegro's skin tests were positive in all cases and anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected by indirect immunofluorescence test in 74.3% of the patients. Parasites were demonstrated in 69.5% of cases. Domestic animals were easily found infected; 32% of the examined dogs and 30.8% of the examined equines were positive to the presence of Leishmania in cutaneous ulcerated lesions. Parasite isolates from human, dog andequines were immunologically characterized and identified as L. b. braziliensis. 73,0% of the sandfly population were Lutzomyia intermedia mainly caught on human baits and on domestic animals. Our observations suggest that this is an area of recent established L. b. braziliensis infection and that transmission probably occurs indoors or outdoors close to the houses.

Epidemiologia de la leishmaniasis tegumentaria en merida, Venezuela. I. Diversidade y dispersion de especies flebotominas en tres pisos altitudinales y su possible rôle en la transmission de enfermedad

Como parte de un estudio epidemiológico sobre leishmaniasis en el Estado Mérida, Venezuela, se presenta la diversidad y dispersión de las especies flebotominas identificadas en 15 localidades ubicadas en 3 pisos altitudinales entre los 175 y los 1.960 m.s.n.m. De 7.126 espécimes capturados (5.132 hombres y 1.994 femenino) se registran 24 especies de Lutzomyia, reconociéndose 10 de las llmadas antropofílicas. Se detalla la distribución de las especies en cada piso altitudinal y en el domicilio humano, el peridomicilio y el ambiente silvestre. Se discute el posible papel que juegan las diferentes especies en la transmisión de la leishmaniasis tegumentaria en cada piso altitudinal en particular y en la región andino-venezolana, en general.

Epidemiologia de la leishmaniasis tegumentar en Mérida, Venezuela - II. Redescripcion de Lutzomya yencanensis (Ortiz, 1965) (Diptera: Psychodidae)

Se redescribe la hembra y el macho de Lutzomya Yencanensis OOrtiz, 1965) utilizando 11 topotipos. Se presentan las medidas e ilustraciones de las estructuras morfológicas. Se hace un análiseis comparativo con las especies afines y se registra la presencia de L. yencanensis en la región Andino-Venezolana.