Autochthonous Outbreak of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis due to Leishmania infantum in Corrientes Province, Argentina

Endemic cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in northern Argentina has traditionally been caused by Leishmania braziliensis. This study aims to describe an outbreak of Leishmania infantum-caused human CL in the Department Capital of Corrientes Province, Argentina. We retrospectively analyzed the reported cases of CL in this area from May 2015 to December 2016. Eighty cases of CL were clinically and analytically diagnosed, and there was one case of visceral leishmaniasis in a boy who also had CL. Patients' median age was 33.6 years (range 1-89 years), and 18.5% were younger than 15 years; the male:female ratio was 3.5:1. Cases lived mostly in the municipality of Corrientes (72.8%), whereas 27.2% resided in Riachuelo. Although 67.9% had a single lesion, 32.1% had several. Molecular analyses showed that L. infantum was the causative species in all cases. Our results show that for the first time, there was an outbreak of CL by L. infantum in an urban area of Argentina

Primera caracterización molecular de Leishmania infantum en pacientes con leishmaniosis visceral de la Provincia de Misiones, Argentina

Introducción. La leishmaniosis cutánea por Leishmania braziliensis ha sidotradicionalmente endémica en Argentina y se han sido descritos casos de compromiso visceral después de una leishmaniosis cutánea inicial. La leishmaniosis visceral emergió en Argentina en el año 2006 en la ciudad de Posadas, provincia de Misiones, afectando tanto a humanos como a perros. Objetivo. Identificar el agente etiológico a nivel de especie de los pacientes diagnosticados con leishmaniosis visceral en Misiones y describir sus características clínico-epidemiológicas.Materiales y métodos. Se estudió una serie de 24 pacientes con diagnóstico confirmado de leishmaniosis visceral en la provincia de Misiones en el período 2009 al 2016. Para la identificación de Leishmania spp., los pacientes fueron sometidos a estudios diagnósticos indirectos (serológicos) y directos (microscopía, detección de ADN y secuenciación). También, se estudiaron variables como edad, sexo, lugar de residencia, y signos y síntomas clínicos indicativos de leishmaniosis visceral. Resultados. De los 24 pacientes estudiados, 18 (75 %) eran hombres y 6 (25 %) eran menores de cuatro años. La manifestación clínica más frecuente fue el síndrome febril prolongado en 21 (87,5 %) de los pacientes, seguido de esplenomegalia en 17 (70,8 %). Se identificó la especie Leishmania infantum en todos los pacientes estudiados. Conclusión. Este hallazgo constituye la primera identificación de la especie L. infantum en pacientes autóctonos de la provincia de Misiones. El estudio evidenció la importancia de la PCR para el manejo epidemiológico de la leishmaniosis visceral en Argentina

LEPRA EN LOS TERRITORIES FRONTERIZOS DE SUDAMÉRICA: ESTUDIO ECOLÓGICO

Objetivo: caracterizar el perfil clínico epidemiológico y la distribución espacial de la incidenciade la lepra en los territorios fronterizos de Sudamérica.Metodología: se trata de un estudio ecológico. El estudio incluyó la Provincia de Misiones enArgentina y la Región Sur de Brasil. La población estaba compuesta por 10.319 nuevos casosde lepra diagnosticados entre 2010 y 2016.Resultados: el estado de Paraná fue el más endémico, representando el 70,2% (n=7.247)de los casos. Predominaron la clasificación operacional multibacilar (79,8%, n=8.233) y elGrado 0 de discapacidad física (50,6%, n=5.223). En Misiones, el 18,9% utilizó un régimende tratamiento de sustitución. En el periodo se observó una situación hiperendémica en 780(65,5%) de las ciudades/departamentos estudiados.Conclusión: El estudio mostró que las regiones estudiadas tienen alta endemicidad,transmisión activa y diagnóstico tardío de la lepra. Estas tendencias entrelazadas en cuanto ala fuerza de la morbilidad y la transmisión reciente y persistente de la enfermedad aumentanla importancia de la lepra como un problema de salud pública en la región.Objective: to characterize the epidemiological clinical profile and spatial distribution of theincidence of leprosy in border territories of South America.Method: this is an ecological study. The study included the Province of Misiones in Argentinaand the Southern Region of Brazil. The population consisted of 10,319 new leprosy casesdiagnosed between 2010 and 2016.Results: the state of Paraná was the most endemic, representing 70.2% (n=7.247) of thecases. There was a predominance of multibacillary operational classification (79.8%, n=8,233)and Grade 0 of physical disability (50.6%, n=5,223). In Misiones, 18.9% used a substitutiontreatment regimen. In the period, a hyperendemic situation was observed in 780 (65.5%) ofthe studied cities/departments.Conclusion: the study revealed that the regions studied have high endemicity, activetransmission and late diagnosis of leprosy. These intertwined trends in the strength ofmorbidity and recent and persistent transmission of the disease increase the relevance ofleprosy as a public health problem in the region.Objetivo: caracterizar o perfil clínico epidemiológico e a distribuição espacial da incidência dahanseníase em territórios fronteiriços da América do Sul.Método: trata-se de um estudo ecológico. O estudo compreendeu a Província de Misiones naArgentina e a Região Sul do Brasil. A população foi composta por 10.319 casos novos de hanseníase,diagnosticados entre 2010 e 2016.Resultados: o estado do Paraná foi o mais endêmico, representando 70,2% (n=7,247) doscasos. Houve predomínio da classificação operacional multibacilar (79,8%, n=8.233) e Grau 0de incapacidade física (50,6%, n=5.223). Em Misiones 18,9% utilizaram esquema de tratamentosubstitutivo. No período, notou-se uma situação hiperendêmica em 780 (65,5%) dos municípios/departamentos estudados.Conclusão: o estudo mostrou que as regiões estudadas apresentam alta endemicidade, transmissãoativa e diagnóstico tardio da hanseníase. Essas tendências entrelaçadas à força de morbidade e detransmissão recente e persistente da doença, ampliam a relevância da hanseníase como problemade saúde pública na região

A canine leishmaniasis pilot survey in an emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis: Posadas (Misiones, Argentina)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>An increasing number of reports are calling our attention to the worldwide spread of leishmaniasis. The urbanization of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been observed in different South American countries, due to changes in demographic and ecological factors. In May 2006, VL was detected for the first time in the city of Posadas (Misiones, Argentina). This event encouraged us to conduct a clinical and parasitological pilot survey on domestic dogs from Posadas to identify their potential role as reservoirs for the disease.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>One hundred and ten dogs from the city of Posadas were included in the study. They were selected based on convenience and availability. All dogs underwent clinical examination. Symptomatology related to canine leishmaniasis was recorded, and peripheral blood and lymph node aspirates were collected. Anti-<it>Leishmania </it>antibodies were detected using rK39-immunocromatographic tests and IFAT. Parasite detection was based on peripheral blood and lymph node aspirate PCR targeting the <it>SSUrRNA </it>gene. Molecular typing was addressed by DNA sequence analysis of the PCR products obtained by <it>SSUrRNA </it>and ITS-1 PCR.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>According to clinical examination, 69.1% (76/110) of the dogs presented symptoms compatible with canine leishmaniasis. Serological analyses were positive for 43.6% (48/110) of the dogs and parasite DNA was detected in 47.3% (52/110). A total of 63 dogs (57.3%) were positive by serology and/or PCR. Molecular typing identified <it>Leishmania infantum </it>(syn. <it>Leishmania chagasi</it>) as the causative agent.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>This work confirms recent findings which revealed the presence of <it>Lutzomyia longipalpis</it>, the vector of <it>L. infantum </it>in this area of South America. This new VL focus could be well established, and further work is needed to ascertain its magnitude and to prevent further human VL cases.</p

Implementación de educación ambiental para el control del mosquito Aedes aegypti, con la comunidad del barrio A4 de Posadas Misiones

Fil: Deschutter, Enrique Jorge. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Secretaría de Extensión y Vinculación Tecnológica; Argentina.Fil: Martínez, Alejandro Ramón. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Secretaría de Extensión y Vinculación Tecnológica; Argentina.Con este proyecto queremos brindar asistencia y capacitación a la comunidad del Barrio A4 y al personal Municipal sobre el Aedes aegypti. Nuestros objetivos específicos-Técnicos son: 1. Elaborar y adecuar el material necesario para la educación ambiental. 2. Realizar la difusión de la Información referente al Aedes aegypti. 3. Evaluar la información difundida a los participantes de las charlas

Rendimiento biogas de biodigestor de establecimiento porcícola de Posadas

Fil: Matiauda, Mario Eugenio. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Secretaría de Extensión y Vinculación Tecnológica; Argentina.Fil: Deschutter, Enrique Jorge. Universidad Nacional de Misiones. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Químicas y Naturales. Secretaría de Extensión y Vinculación Tecnológica; Argentina.El objetivo general del proyecto es brindar asistencia técnica para el adecuado funcionamiento de la unidad biodigestor de establecimiento de producción porcina de la ciudad de Posadas, de manera de confluir las metas técnicas en el contexto de sustentabilidad. Para ello se debe hacer un relevamiento de condiciones actuales de instalación y funcionamiento, incluyendo parámetros esenciales para este reactor discontinuo como ser: la temperatura del biodigestor, pH, sustrato, velocidad de carga de la materia prima, toxicidad, dilución, tiempo de retención, mezclado, la cantidad y calidad del biogas. Dentro de estos parámetros, calidad del biogas, analizar cuantitativamente la composición de la mezcla dióxido de carbón-metano, en términos de apuntar a su potencial energético alternativo. Para concluir se pretende proponer mejoras en manejo operativo de la unidad atendiendo a la producción tanto del biogas como del biosol y biol

A canine leishmaniasis pilot survey in an emerging focus of visceral leishmaniasis: Posadas (Misiones, Argentina)

Background: An increasing number of reports are calling our attention to the worldwide spread of leishmaniasis. The urbanization of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been observed in different South American countries, due to changes in demographic and ecological factors. In May 2006, VL was detected for the first time in the city of Posadas (Misiones, Argentina). This event encouraged us to conduct a clinical and parasitological pilot survey on domestic dogs from Posadas to identify their potential role as reservoirs for the disease. Methods: One hundred and ten dogs from the city of Posadas were included in the study. They were selected based on convenience and availability. All dogs underwent clinical examination. Symptomatology related to canine leishmaniasis was recorded, and peripheral blood and lymph node aspirates were collected. Anti-Leishmania antibodies were detected using rK39-immunocromatographic tests and IFAT. Parasite detection was based on peripheral blood and lymph node aspirate PCR targeting the SSUrRNA gene. Molecular typing was addressed by DNA sequence analysis of the PCR products obtained by SSUrRNA and ITS-1 PCR. Results: According to clinical examination, 69.1% (76/110) of the dogs presented symptoms compatible with canine leishmaniasis. Serological analyses were positive for 43.6% (48/110) of the dogs and parasite DNA was detected in 47.3% (52/110). A total of 63 dogs (57.3%) were positive by serology and/or PCR. Molecular typing identified Leishmania infantum (syn. Leishmania chagasi) as the causative agent

A Novel Sampling Model to Study the Epidemiology of Canine Leishmaniasis in an Urban Environment

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. The domestic dog is the main reservoir of zoonotic VL and a high prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is associated with transmission of infection to humans. Here we describe the methodology used to obtain a rapid and representative sample of domestic dogs in the city of Posadas, Misiones, and compare the prevalence of Leishmania infection with a sample of shelter dogs.Methodology: We used the city land registry to make a random selection of homes and systematically recruited 349 domestic dogs from the selected properties. We also included all dogs from the main canine shelter within the city. Dogs were examined by two experienced veterinarians who recorded the presence of clinical signs common in CanL using a standardized protocol. We extracted a blood sample from each dog and performed four different serological tests to reveal the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies.Results: After clinical examination, 145 domestic dogs (41.5%) and 63 (90%) shelter dogs had clinical signs compatible with CanL (p &amp;lt; 0.001). The seroprevalence among domestic dogs was 20.1% (95% CI 16.1–24.6) which was significantly lower than among the abandoned dogs (38.6%, 95% CI 27.7–50.6, p &amp;lt; 0.001). The spatial distribution of infected dogs was fairly homogenous throughout the city. Among domestic dogs, we observed a positive association between where the dog slept and presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies (p = 0.034). Of the seropositive domestic dogs 38 (54.4%) were asymptomatic.Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate how seroprevalence results can be highly influenced by sampling methodology. We demonstrate how the land registry can be used to estimate the prevalence of CanL in representative sample of domestic dogs in an urban setting, allowing decision makers to deepen their understanding the epidemiology of CanL in a timely and efficient manner for the development of plans to address both human and canine disease.</jats:p

A Novel Sampling Model to Study the Epidemiology of Canine Leishmaniasis in an Urban Environment.

Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most important parasitic diseases in the world. The domestic dog is the main reservoir of zoonotic VL and a high prevalence of canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is associated with transmission of infection to humans. Here we describe the methodology used to obtain a rapid and representative sample of domestic dogs in the city of Posadas, Misiones, and compare the prevalence of Leishmania infection with a sample of shelter dogs. Methodology: We used the city land registry to make a random selection of homes and systematically recruited 349 domestic dogs from the selected properties. We also included all dogs from the main canine shelter within the city. Dogs were examined by two experienced veterinarians who recorded the presence of clinical signs common in CanL using a standardized protocol. We extracted a blood sample from each dog and performed four different serological tests to reveal the presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies. Results: After clinical examination, 145 domestic dogs (41.5%) and 63 (90%) shelter dogs had clinical signs compatible with CanL (p < 0.001). The seroprevalence among domestic dogs was 20.1% (95% CI 16.1-24.6) which was significantly lower than among the abandoned dogs (38.6%, 95% CI 27.7-50.6, p < 0.001). The spatial distribution of infected dogs was fairly homogenous throughout the city. Among domestic dogs, we observed a positive association between where the dog slept and presence of anti-Leishmania antibodies (p = 0.034). Of the seropositive domestic dogs 38 (54.4%) were asymptomatic. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate how seroprevalence results can be highly influenced by sampling methodology. We demonstrate how the land registry can be used to estimate the prevalence of CanL in representative sample of domestic dogs in an urban setting, allowing decision makers to deepen their understanding the epidemiology of CanL in a timely and efficient manner for the development of plans to address both human and canine disease.This work was supported by: Dirección General de Cooperación al Desarrollo, Generalitat Valenciana, Spain (Ref. 3014/2008) and European Commission 6th Framework Programme INCO-CT-2005-015407 [Control strategies for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) in South America: Applications of molecular epidemiology/LeishEpiNetSA].S