Journal
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
Volume 103, Issue 7, Pages 721-726Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS
DOI: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2008.11.019
Keywords
Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Leishmania; Clinical evolution; Molecular epidemiology; Insect vectors; Venezuela
Funding
- University of Carabobo [FCS-2001-005]
- PAHO [ASC-00/000400]
- Iniciativa Cientifica Millenium grant [4572-VE]
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This study reports cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by Leishmania chagasi/Le. infantum in Venezuela, with some atypical characteristics. Out of 63 cases of CL in the suburbs of Altagracia de Orituco, Guarico State, Venezuela, 30 presented clinical, parasitological, immunological and epidemiological features different from those of the classical CL known in the country. The initial lesion was small and nodular, which, if not treated, might progress to a superficial ulcer. No secondary infection was observed. The identification of the isolates was carried out by molecular techniques. Twelve species of phlebotomine sandflies were caught, the most abundant being Lutzomyia evansi and Lu. longipalpis s.l., known vectors of Le. chagasi/Le. infantum. The existence of Le. chagasi/Le. infantum and its vectors in an endemic area of CL has implications and we suggest that epidemiological studies should be carried out to obtain a clearer picture of the extent of this CL form in Venezuela. (C) 2008 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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