Leishmaniose visceral: perfil epidemiológico da Paraíba, Brasil.

Abstract

Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL) is a neglected disease with a worldwide distribution. Caused by the protozoan species Leishmania infantum, it is transmitted mainly by the bite of the insect vector Lutzomyia longipalpis and its most important reservoir is the dog. Initially, it was related to rural areas, but with changes in the environment, it became relevant to urban areas. The study aims to analyze cases of visceral Leishmaniasis in the state of Paraíba. A descriptive, retrospective, quantitative study was carried out, which analyzed confirmed cases of VL in the state, from 2012 to 2022. The data were obtained from the Notifiable Diseases Information System of the Ministry of Health. Data were collected from the municipalities of Paraíba, such as: year of the first symptom, municipality of infection, autochthonous cases, sex, age, ethnic group, education, evolution, confirmation criteria, presence of co-infection with the HIV virus and pregnancy. 466 cases were confirmed, where the municipalities of Catingueira (1.22) and Gado Bravo (1.19) had higher prevalence coefficients. Sousa (30) and Campina Grande (20) had the highest autochthonous cases and Alagoa Nova (28.6) the highest fatality rate. Regarding the profile of those infected, (65.9%) were male, (45.7%) were aged 20-59, (70.1%) had low education and (84.3%) were black /browns. Cure was the most prevalent outcome (73%), however, 11.3% deaths from VL were observed. 17.1% of VL-HIV co-infected people and 0.64% of pregnant women were identified. Laboratory diagnosis was the most prevalent (86.3%). The data contributes to knowledge of the distribution and planning of implementation of strategies to control and prevent parasitosis.