Characterization and speculations on the urbanization of visceral leishmaniasis in Brazil

Cadernos de Saúde Pública

Carlos Henrique Nery Costa¹ 

[1] ,Instituto de Doenças Tropicais Natan Portella Laboratório de Leishmanioses Teresina,Brasil

关键词: Visceral Leishmaniasis;    Urbanization;    Vaccines;    Leishmaniose Visceral;    Urbanização;    Vacinas;   

DOI  :  10.1590/S0102-311X2008001200027

来源: SciELO

【 摘 要 】

The available hypotheses or explanations for the urbanization of American visceral leishmaniasis are insufficient. An alternative hypothesis is that changes in the ecology and biology of the vector, Lutzomyia longipalpis, might explain all the new urban epidemiological features of the disease. To tackle the knowledge gaps in this process, certain key research areas need to be prioritized: the role of dogs in expanding transmission in cities, community trials to evaluate new insecticides, and research on the ecological and molecular determinants of Leishmania chagasi transmission. Investment of public funds should focus on the development of a human vaccine, since such a vaccine now appears to be within reach. Even small effects from a vaccine could substantially reduce the impact of the disease, which in the last quarter century has challenged and defeated both the scientific community and the public health field around the world.

【 授权许可】

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