Epidemiological study of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in Maypuco, Peru
Arzubiaga, C.; Huayanay, J.; Biaggioni, I.
Boletin de la Oficina Sanitaria Panamericana. Pan American Sanitary Bureau 96(5): 417-424
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-0632 PMID: 6234001 Document Number: 241442
The prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis was determined in Maypuco, a town located in a lowland tropical forest area of Loreto, Peru. The Montenegro intradermal test was used to test skin hypersensitivity in 67 subjects (17.6% of the total population) and IFAT was used to determine levels of serum antibodies to Leishmania braziliensis antigen. 18 had positive skin tests; none of the reactors had active lesions, although lesions with scars clinically compatable with cutaneous leishmaniasis were present in 4 of the reactors (none of the non-reactors had lesions or scars). All but 2 of the reactors were farmers. IFAT was negative in 12 reactors and gave titres of 1:16 in the other 6. It is suggested that infection is not acquired in populated areas but rather is related to occupations in forested areas where the vector and natural reservoirs are found.