Cutaneous leishmaniasis in south-eastern Paraguay: a study of an endemic area at Limoy.
An epidemiological study was performed on leishmaniasis in a newly established community in south-eastern Paraguay. 149 persons, of 172 inhabitants, were thoroughly examined by clinical, parasitological and immunological (leishmanin skin test) examinations. 88 of those examined (59%) were clinically positive for dermal and nasal (mucosal) lesions or dermal scars, while 74 (50%) were positive by the leishmanin test. Of the 88 persons, 66 (75%) were positive for both leishmanial (dermal and nasal) signs and skin test; these subjects were therefore considered to be leishmaniasis patients. Most of the patients (60%) had a single dermal lesion. Among the 66 leishmaniasis patients, serious mucosal (nasal septum) lesions were observed in the 41 subjects: 2 had destruction of the septum, 8 had ulceration and 31 had erythema. In this community the persons with dermal and/or nasal problems had been treated with meglumine antimonate (Glucantime), without any precise diagnosis having been made by parasitological or immunological examination. The socio-economical and socio-medical points of view aspects are discussed.
Hashiguchi
Y
Y
Department of Parasitology, Kochi Medical School, Japan.
Arias
O
O
Maciel
D
D
Mansur
J
J
Furuya
M
M
Kawabata
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009300:Nasal Septum; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000469:parasitology; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010239:Paraguay / Q000453:epidemiology; D012737:Sex Factors; D012882:Skin Tests
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; D008536:Meglumine; D000077485:Meglumine Antimoniate