La leishmaniasis visceral (LV) en Latinoamérica y particularmente en Venezuela, es una protozoosis que en las últimas décadas ha mostrado cambios en su patrón epidemiológico inicialmente rural hasta la activación de focos urbanos, significando esto, la emergencia de una problemática de salud pública en zonas marginales de la periferia de grandes ciudades. En el Departamento de Parasitología, de la Universidad de Carabobo, en el año 2005, fue diagnosticado un caso de leishmaniasis visceral humana en un niño de 2 años, residente del Barrio Los Próceres, ubicado en el Municipio Naguanagua, del Estado Carabobo-Venezuela, siendo este el primer caso de LV reportado en esta comunidad. A partir de este hallazgo se planteó realizar un estudio seroepidemiológico en la población humana y canina de esta comunidad el cual permitirá caracterizarlo como un foco urbano de LV. Se aplicó encuesta epidemiológica y se tomó muestra sanguínea a la población humana y canina que habitaba en un área de 200 m. a partir de la residencia del caso diagnosticado; se utilizó la prueba ELISA-rK39, la seroprevalencia obtenida fue de 5,96% (9/151) en humanos y 24,24% (8/33) en caninos. El 55,55% de seropositivos humanos tenían entre 0 - 13 años. No se evidenció asociación entre la seropositividad y variables epidemiológicas evaluadas como: grado de instrucción, ocupación, tiempo de residencia en la localidad, procedencia de otras comunidades y presencia de caninos. La mayoría de los caninos seropositivos tenían más de 2 años de edad y en condición asintomática. Los resultados obtenidos sugieren la presencia de un nuevo foco de LV urbano de reciente data en la localidad evaluada.

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Latin America and particularly in Venezuela, is a protozoan infection that in recent decades has shown changes in the epidemiological pattern, initially rural to activating urban foci, resulting in the emergence of a public health problem in the periphery of large cities. In the Parasitology Department, Carabobo University, in 2005, was diagnosed a case of human visceral leishmaniasis in a 2-year old child, resident of Barrio Los Próceres, located in the Municipality Naguanagua, Carabobo State. This was the first reported case of VL in this community. From this finding we carried out a seroepidemiological study in human and canine population of this community in an attempt to characterize it as an urban focus of VL. An epidemiological survey was conducted and blood samples were taken from the human and canine population living in an area of 200 m. of the index case, in order to detect anti-leishmania antibodies using the ELISA-rK39 test. The seroprevalence obtained for human was 5.96% (9 / 151), and for dogs 24.24% (8 / 33). 55.55% of seropositive humans were between 0-13 years old. No evidence of association between seropositivity and assessed epidemiological variables such as educational level, occupation, length of residence in the town of origin, from other communities and the presence of dogs. Most of the seropositive dogs were over 2 years of age and in an asymptomatic condition. Results suggest the presence of a new recent focus of urban LV of in the studied area.

En este trabajo identificamos una nueva secuencia de DNA de 500 pb (β500-DNA) en Leishmania del subgénero Leishmania (Viannia), localizada en la región intergénica de uno de los loci de la familia de los genes de la β tubulina. El análisis de secuencia mostró que β500 no tiene homología con ninguna otra secuencia previamente descrita, incluido el gen de la β tubulina. Nosotros implementamos un ensayo de PCR específico para β500, β500-PCR, que genera un producto de PCR de 375 pb a partir del DNA genómico de cepas de Leishmania pertenecientes al subgénero L. (Viannia). No hubo amplificación alguna cuando se utilizó el DNA genómico de especies del subgénero L. (Leishmania) o el de otros organismos. En las condiciones establecidas, utilizando DNA purificado del clon pLgβ4, que contiene una copia de la secuencia de DNA de β500, el límite de detección más bajo fue de 1 fentogramo. El ensayo β500-PCR confirmó el diagnóstico preliminar de leishmaniasis cutánea en muestras clínicas de pacientes positivas a la prueba de Montenegro y negativas en el cultivo de parásitos. La especificidad y sensibilidad analítica del ensayo de PCR proporciona una herramienta para estudios epidemiológicos de la enfermedad.

We have identified a novel DNA sequence of 500 bp (β500-DNA) on the Leishmania (Viannia) subgenus, located in the intergenic region of one of the loci of the β-tubulin gene family. The sequence analysis showed that this sequence has no homology to any other sequence described so far, including the β-tubulin gene. We improved a specific β500-PCR assay, which generated a PCR product of 375 bp for total genomic DNA from Leishmania strains belonging to the L. (Viannia) subgenus. In contrast, no amplification was found when using genomic DNA from species of L. (Leishmania) subgenus or other organisms. Under our PCR conditions, the lower detection limit was 1 fg when a purified DNA clone (pLgβ4), which contains one copy of the β500-DNA sequence, was used. The β500-DNA PCR assay confirmed the preliminary diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis in clinical samples in which the Montenegro skin test was positive and parasite cultures were negative. The analytical specificity and the sensitivity of the PCR assay provide a tool for epidemiological studies of the disease.

La evaluación del estado nutricional, especialmente en grupos vulnerables, permite medir en forma indirecta la calidad de vida de una comunidad. Objetivo: Conocer el estado nutricional de niños que viven una comunidad rural del Estado Cojedes y las condiciones socioeconómicas de su grupo familiar. Metodología: Estudio descriptivo, transversal con 31 niños de 6 a 14 años, de ambos sexos. El diagnóstico nutricional se realizó por los indicadores: Talla-edad. Peso-talla, Peso-edad e Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC). Se utilizó para la clasificación, la referencia nacional y para la estratificación socioeconómica, Graffar - Méndez Castellano. En el análisis estadístico se utilizó distribución de frecuencia con porcentajes y medidas de tendencia central para las diferentes variables. Resultados: 83,9 % de los niños tuvo diagnóstico nutricional normal y 28,1 % presentó talla baja, 83,3% de las familias se encontró en situación de pobreza crítica. Conclusión: pese al estado de pobreza de las familias evaluadas, la mayoría de los escolares tienen IMC normal. Sin embargo, el hallazgo de talla baja refleja los posibles efectos deletéreos de la condición socioeconómica que predomina en la comunidad.

The evaluation of the nutritional state, especially in vulnerable groups, allows to measure in indirect form the quality of life of a community. Objetive: to know the state nutritional children who live a rural community on the Cojedes State and the socioeconomics conditions of their familiar group. Methodology: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was made where 31 children of 6 to 14 years, both sexes evaluated themselves. The nutritional diagnosis was made by the indicators: Stature-age. Weigh-it stature, Weigh-age and Index of Corporal Mass (IMC). Classification was used the national reference, and for the socioeconomic stratification, Graffar - Méndez Castellanos. For the statistical analysis the frequency allocation in percentage and measures of central tendency for the different variables was used. Results: 83,9% of the children had I diagnose normal nutritional and 28,1 % presented/displayed low stature. 83,3% of the families were in situation of critical poverty. Conclusion: in spite of the state of poverty of the evaluated families, most of the students they have a normal nutritional diagnosis, but the present low stature, reflects the possible deleterious effects of the socioeconomic condition that predominates.

Após o surgimento do foco de leishmaniose tegumentar em Solano, Estado de Cojedes, Venezuela, 5% da população possuíam úlceras parasitadas, enquanto que em Mesquita, Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, 9% apresentavam a doença. Nos dois focos, crianças com menos de seis anos eram acometidas. Não existe diferença significativa na ocorrência da doença entre sexos ou entre trbalhadores domésticso e agricultores. Em solano, 3% dos cães e 28% dos equinos apresentavam lesões paraditadas; em Mesquita estes índices eram de 19,8% e 30,8%, respectivamente. O parasito isolado de humanos, cães e equinos foi identificado como Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, através da análise de zimodema e serodema. Neste foco existe uma evidência sugerindo que a leishmaniose é uma zoonose, onde os equinos e os cães seriam os prováveis reservatórios. Entretanto, o ciclo enzoótico silvestre não foram devidamente avaliados. A transmissão nestes focos é provavelmente peridomiciliar, envolvendo vetores ecléticos como Lutzomyia panamensis, na Venezuela, e Lutzomya intermedia, no Brasil. Dados sobre a origem destes focos sugerem que equinos infectados são importantes na disseminação do parasita em área ecologicamente receptivas.

After outbreaks of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Solano State, Venezuela, 5% of the population had parasitized ulcers while after similar outbreaks in Mesquita, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, 9% had the disease. In these foci children, including some under six years of age, wre affected. There was no significant difference in the occurence of the disease according to sex or type of employment. In Solano, 3% of dogs and 28% of donkeys had parasitized lesions, while in Mesquita these indices were 19.8% and 30.8% respectively. The parasite from man, dogs and equines was identified as Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis, by zymodeme and serodeme characterization. In these foci there is evidence suggesting that leishmaniasis is a zoonosis, possibly with equine and dogs as reservoirs, although both a wild enzootic cycle and the role of man as a source of infection can not be ruled out. Transmission is assumed to occur peridomestically by sandfly vectors such as Lutzomyia panamensis in Venezuela and Lutzomyia intermedia in Brazil. Information about the origin of these foci suggests that infected equines may be an important factor in the dissemination of the parasite in a peridomestic situation where these sandflies are abundant.

O achado de uma mula infectada num foco endêmico de leishmaniose tegumentar no Rio de Janeiro, levou-nos a procurar sistematicamente infecções por Leishmania em equinos, resultando no encontro de 30,8% de parasitados, incluindo cavalos e mulas. A possibilidade de esses animais participarem da cadeia epidemiológica da leishmaniose humana está sendo investigada.

In an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Rio de Janeiro State where a mule had been found infected, a systematic search among equines was performed, resulting in the detection of Leishmania parasites in skin lesions of 30.8% of the animals, which included horses and mules. The eventual role of equines in the epidemiology of the human disease is being investigated.

É relatado o encontro de infecção por parasitos do gênero Leishmania, em lesão cutânea de uma mula (Equus caballus x Equus asinus) procedente de uma localidade endêmica de leishmaniose tegumentar, no Estado do Rio de Janeiro.

Leishmania parasites were found in a skin lesion of a mule (Equus caballus x Equus asinus) from a locality with endemic cutaneous leishmaniasis, in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

Durante um surto de leishmaniose tegumentar em Las Rosas, localidade previamente não endêmica do Estado Cojedes, Venezuela, 12,9% dos habitantes, 7% dos cães e 21,4% dos asnos (Equus asinus) apresentavam lesões com parasitos. O agente etiológico nos tres hospedeiros foi identificado como Leishmania braziliensis, sendo da subespécie braziliensis pelo menos em pessoas e asnos. O transmissor provável foi Lutzomyia panamensis. Não comprovamos a infecção numa pequena amostra de mamíferos silvestres examinados. O surto esteve aparentemente relacionado com a importação de asnos com úlceras de áreas endêmicas. Chamamos a atenção para o fato de que não é apenas nos fócos de "uta", mas também nos de outras formas de leishmaniose tegumentar americana que os cães estão freqüentemente parasitados. Enfatizamos a necessidade de se procurar a infecção em asnos e de se proceder a hemoculturas e a xenodiagnósticos com flebotomos em casos humanos, caninos e equinos para investigar seu possível papel como fontes de infecção e não o de meros "fins de linha" na cadeia epidemiológica da doença.

During an outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in a locality (Las Rosas, Cojedes State, venezuela) previously non-endemic, 12.9% of humans, 7% of dogs and 21.4% of donkeys (Equus asinus) had lesions with paraites. The agent in the three hosts was identified as Leishmania braziliensis, subspecies braziliensis at least in man and donkey. The probable vector was Lutzomyia panamensis. No infection was found in a small sample of wild mammals examined. The outbreak was apparently linked with the importation of donkeys with ulcers, from endemic areas. The Authors call attention to the fact that not only in the foci of "uta", but also in areas of the other forms of American cutaneous leishmaniasis, dogs are frequently found infected. They emphasize the necessity of searching for the infection in donkeys and of performing hemocultures and xenodiagnosis with sandflies in human, canine and equine cases, to verify their possible role as sources of infection, and not merely as dead ends in the epidemiological chain of the disease.