title: Contribution of molecular techniques to the epidemiology of neotropical Leishmania species.
abstract: Brandão-Filho et al. and Oliveira et al. have recently reported the detection of Leishmania in sylvatic and synanthropic animals that were captured in areas of Brazil that are endemic for leishmaniasis. Such investigations raise the issue of reservoirs of important endemic diseases by using modern molecular biology and biochemical techniques that complement traditional methods. Ecoepidemiological studies focusing on possible reservoirs have been important for providing contributions to prophylaxis and control measures to be employed by public health authorities.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. eduardosilva@funedi.edu.br
authors.forename: Eduardo S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Célia M F
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Gontijo
authors.forename: Maria Norma
authors.initials: MN
authors.lastname: Melo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000469:parasitology; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D006801:Humans; D007303:Insect Vectors / Q000469:parasitology; D007891:Leishmania / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D051379:Mice; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000469:parasitology; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan