[Leishmaniasis urbanization and low diagnosis capacity in the Metropolitan Region of Belo Horizonte].
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.
Profeta da Luz
Z M
ZM
Laboratório de Pesquisas Clínicas, Centro de Pesquisas René Rachou, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. profeta@cpqrr.fiocruz.br
Pimenta
D N
DN
Cabral
A L
AL
Fiúza
V O
VO
Rabello
A
A
D001938:Brazil; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007896:Leishmaniasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population