Epidemiology of human visceral leishmaniasis in the urban centers of the lower-middle São Francisco Valley, Brazilian semiarid region.

INTRODUCTION

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis caused by parasites of the Leishmania genus. VL is present in countries with tropical climates, being endemic in Brazil,, including the region of the lower-middle São Francisco Valley which includes the urban centers of Petrolina (Pernambuco state) and Juazeiro (Bahia state).

METHODS

This retrospective and descriptive epidemiological study analyzed secondary data obtained from the mandatory visceral leishmaniasis notification forms of the Ministry of Health, which were compiled in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN) database. We analyzed 181 autochthonous cases reported in the two aforementioned cities between 2010 and 2016. Data collection occurred in June 2017.

RESULTS

Of the 181 VL cases in the study area, 40.9% (n=74) occurred in Juazeiro and 59.1% (n=107) occurred in Petrolina. The average numbers of cases per year were 9.5 in Juazeiro and 14 in Petrolina; respectively, the incidence ranges were 2-8.6 cases and 2.8-6.1 cases per 100,000 inhabitants. Fever, weakness, weight loss, and pallor were the most commonly observed clinical manifestations. Coinfection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was observed in 16.8% and 5.4% of cases in Petrolina and Juazeiro, respectively. The lethality rates were 2.8% and 5.4% in Petrolina and Juazeiro, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Both cities had a high incidence of VL during the studied period. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the behavior of VL during recent years and may help to direct regional disease control measures.