Casos por coinfecção HIV e LEISHMANIOSE no Brasil 2018-2022.

Abstract

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a zoonosis common in tropical and subtropical regions, being a public health problem in Brazil. Its etiological agent is the protozoan Leishmania infantum, which is transmitted through the bite of sandflies, mainly of the Lutzomyia longipalpis species. The dog is the main reservoir in urban areas. The clinical picture of VL can worsen when associated with an immunosuppressive disease, such as HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) infection, and there has been a noticeable expansion of this co-infection throughout Brazil. In this sense, the objective of the research was to analyze the epidemiological and clinical profile of cases of Leishmania infantum and HIV co-infection in Brazil, in the time series 2018 to 2022. An epidemiological, descriptive and retrospective study of cases was carried out, between 2018- 2022, in the Disease Information and Notification System (SINAN). The variables used were: year, age, sex, education, race, type of diagnosis, whether pregnant or not and clinical evolution. The Chi-square test of Independence was performed and the prevalence coefficient was calculated. Brazil presented a total of 1,799 notifications of VL/HIV co-infections, indicating stability of cases in the 2018-2022 time series. The Northeast, North, Central-West and Southeast regions had the highest average prevalence coefficients per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. The states with the highest average prevalence within each region were: Sergipe, Espírito Santo, Roraima and Mato Grosso do Sul. The profile of those infected involves male individuals of adult age, black and mixed race, with low education, from urban areas. Coinfected pregnant women are found. 76.2% of cases progressed to cure due to VL and 8.9% progressed to death due to VL. Increased attention is proposed in areas endemic for VL, in addition to having a diagnosis for both diseases and adequate pharmacological treatment. It is considered important to train health professionals to correctly complete SINAN notifications. The time series analyzed clearly indicates that the problem of VL/HIV co-infection has persisted over the years. Therefore, greater visibility of the problem is necessary, with investment in public policies for neglected diseases, in addition to investment in scientific research and early diagnosis.