Urbanization of visceral leishmaniasis: clinical and epidemiological aspects in Aracaju, Sergipe state, Brazil

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to describe the clinical and epidemiological aspects of visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in the city of Aracaju, Sergipe state, from 2007 to 2011. Methods: It is a descriptive retrospective epidemiological study using data from the Information System for Notifiable Diseases of the Health Department of Sergipe, with statistical analysis processed by the Epi Info 6.04d software. Results: One hundred twenty-eight cases of VL have been reported in the city of Aracaju, representing an annual average of 25.6 cases and an incidence rate of 23.5 cases per 100.000 inhabitants. There was predominance of males (65.6%) and a higher number of cases occurred in children up to 4 years of age (26.6%). The most frequent clinical manifestations were fever (96.1%); splenomegaly (89.1%); hepatomegaly (79.7%); weakness (82.0%), and weight loss (77.3%). 95.5% of the cases were confirmed by clinical and laboratory criteria. The overall mortality rate during the study period was of 7.8% (10 deaths), and of 26.7% (4 deaths) in patients between 40 and 49 years of age. During the time of the study, at least one case of VL was identified in 65.8% of the 38 districts spread across all regions of the city. Conclusions: It was possible to verify a wide distribution of VL in the city, with high lethality. To deal with VL appropriately, besides adopting measures related to environmental interventions and vector control, it is necessary to constantly update health professionals, especially physicians working in primary care and emergency units, so that they can perform the early diagnosis of suspected cases and treatment can occur in a timely manner.