title: [Prevalence of infection by Leishmania chagasi using ELISA (rK39 and CRUDE) and the Montenegro skin test in an endemic leishmaniasis area of Maranhão, Brazil].
abstract: A prospective study was undertaken in 1,520 children less than 15 years of age in São José de Ribamar, Maranhão, Brazil, from June 1994 to January 1995, to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics (socioeconomic, environmental, and behavioral) associated with infection by Leishmania chagasi. Montenegro skin test (MST) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA-rK39 and CRUDE) test were used to detect infection. The statistical analysis used the chi2 test with Yates correction and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Prevalence of infection was 61.7% as measured by MST, 19.4% according to ELISA (rK39), and 19.7% by ELISA (CRUDE). Association was detected between leishmaniasis in the family, water supply, application of insecticide, and infection by L. chagasi using MST. No association with infection by L. chagasi was detected using ELISA rK39 or CRUDE. More effective control measures are needed to reduce prevalence and to detect asymptomatic cases in this high percentage of infected children.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, Brasil. cnsd_ma@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Maria do Desterro Soares Brandão
authors.initials: Mdo D
authors.lastname: Nascimento
authors.forename: Edilberto Costa
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Souza
authors.forename: Leopoldo Muniz
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Plinio da Cunha
authors.initials: Pda C
authors.lastname: Leal
authors.forename: Karleno de Lima
authors.initials: Kde L
authors.lastname: Cantanhede
authors.forename: Geusa Felipa de Barros
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Bezerra
authors.forename: Graça Maria de Castro
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Viana
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan / Q000097:blood*; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004285:Dogs; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007428:Intradermal Tests / Q000379:methods; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000276:immunology*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000953:Antigens, Protozoan; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins