Abstract

PADILHA, Bruno Gomes; ALBUQUERQUE, Paulo Victor Vasconcelos de  and  PEDROSA, Fernando de Araújo. Epidemiological indicators of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Alagoas State, Brazil, from 1999 to 2008. Rev Pan-Amaz Saude [online]. 2010, vol.1, n.3, pp.95-102. ISSN 2176-6215.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S2176-62232010000300013.

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a severe public health problem in Brazil, particularly in Alagoas State. It is one of the parasitic diseases that affect skin and mucosae, and is closely related to environmental, behavioral and demographic changes. METHODS: The epidemiological indicators of the manual for surveillance of American integumentary leishmaniasis were calculated and evaluated on a ten-year historical series and their data were collected by the Department of Epidemiological Surveillance of the Alagoas State Secretary of Health. RESULTS: A total of 1,338 new indigenous cases were notified: 1,097 patients were 10 years old or older; 525 patients were female and 811 male. Cutaneous leishmaniasis was diagnosed in 969 patients, with a peak in 2007, when 98.3% of the cases were reported; 625 Montenegro skin tests were performed, with a peak of 99.1% in 2008. CONCLUSIONS: In Alagoas, a medium level detection rate was observed, with a prevalence of the cutaneous type in male patients over 10 years old, and a decreasing trend in the case numbers and an increase in the proportion of males in the age group of ≥ 10 years old and in the cutaneous lesions. Knowing this panorama supports decision making processes in the public health field within the state.

Keywords : Leishmaniasis; Mucocutaneous; Indicators; Epidemiologic Surveillance.

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