title: [Leishmaniasis urbanization and low diagnosis capacity in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte].
abstract: During the period from 1994 to 1999 cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported in 32 (89%) out of 36 municipalities in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte, Brazil, of which one (2,8%) municipality was classified as a very high risk area, 16 (44,5%) as high risk, seven (19,4%) as moderate risk areas and 12 (33,3%) as low risk. From 1994 to 1995, visceral leishmaniasis was reported in six (16%) municipalities whereas in 1998 - 1999 this number increased to 15 (42%). Annual numbers of cases during 1994 to 1999 were 30, 53, 64, 53 and 84, respectively. In 19 (61.3%) municipalities no reference center for the diagnosis of the infection was available, so that most of the patients (80%) were referred to Belo Horizonte. Twelve (39%) municipalities have a center for leishmaniasis evaluation, however in only eight (67%) of these basic specific diagnostic tests were available. Rapid and extensive increase of leishmaniasis associated with low diagnosis capacity has been observed in the metropolitan area of Belo Horizonte.
authors.affiliation: Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. profeta@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
authors.forename: Z M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Profeta da Luz
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Pimenta
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cabral
authors.forename: V O
authors.initials: VO
authors.lastname: Fiúza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rabello
mesh_terms: D001938:Brazil; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population