Publications

human and canine visceral leishmaniasis in an emerging focus in araçuaí, minas gerais: spatial distribution and socio-environmental factors.	this study aimed to analyse the spatial distribution of human (2007-2013) and canine (2013) visceral leishmaniasis (vl) in the city of araçuaí, minas gerais, brazil, and identify the socio-environmental factors related to their occurrence. the spatial distribution of human and canine cases was analysed by kernel density estimation (kde) and the k function. the kde values were analysed for correlation between human and canine lv and for normalised difference vegetation index (ndvi). socio-environ ...	0	27384080
visceral leishmaniasis in the metropolitan region of belo horizonte, state of minas gerais, brazil.	in the last few years the number of human cases of american visceral leishmaniasis in the metropolitan region of belo horizonte (mrbh), minas gerais, brazil has increased, indicating an elevation in the transmission rate of the disease. the total number of notified human cases in the mrbh since 1994, when the first case was identified, up to 1999 was 345 of which 223 (65%) were from the city itself, indicating an urbanization of the disease in this region of minas gerais. the age distribution of ...	2001	11313633
importance of lutzomyia longipalpis in the dynamics of transmission of canine visceral leishmaniasis in the endemic area of porteirinha municipality, minas gerais, brazil.	a study of lutzomyia longipalpis (lutz and neiva, 1912) (diptera: psychodidae), the primary vector of american visceral leishmaniasis (avl), and the canine form of the disease, was carried out in porteirinha. the city is situated in the northern part of the brazilian state of minas gerais and is an endemic area of avl. systematic phlebotomine captures were performed in seven districts with previously reported cases of canine visceral leishmaniasis, during 2 years (january 2000--december 2001). a ...	2005	15975718
risk factors for leishmania chagasi infection in an urban area of minas gerais state.	in order to understand the determinants of human infection by leishmania chagasi in an urban area, a cross-sectional population based study was conducted using molecular and serologic methods to identify infection. participants were interviewed using a pre-coded questionnaire. two criteria were tested to identify risk factors: model 1--including all participants positive in hybridization by leishmania donovani complex probe; model 2--including all participants positive for hybridization and at l ...	2006	16410918
infectivity of seropositive dogs, showing different clinical forms of leishmaniasis, to lutzomyia longipalpis phlebotomine sand flies.	visceral leishmaniasis (vl) is a growing zoonosis with an increasing number of new cases and a rapid geographical spreading of the disease. in the present study, a canine survey was carried out in the city of montes claros (320,000 inhabitants), an endemic area of american visceral leishmaniasis in the state of minas gerais, brazil. a total number of 4795 dogs were examined by serology, which showed a rate of seropositivity of 5%. isoenzymatic analysis confirmed leishmania infantum chagasi as th ...	2007	17449184
autochthonous canine visceral leishmaniasis in a non-endemic area: bom sucesso, minas gerais state, brazil.	the article begins by describing a dog with characteristic symptoms of visceral leishmaniasis. a serum sample from this animal was positive by indirect immunofluorescence (iif) performed in anti-leishmania total igg in 1999. tissues from the same dog were also positive by polymerase chain reaction (pcr) in 2004, identifying leishmania dna in the cerebellum, liver, kidney, and intestine. this is the first report of a dog with autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in the county of bom sucesso, mina ...	2008	18278274
evaluation of the conjunctival swab for canine visceral leishmaniasis diagnosis by pcr-hybridization in minas gerais state, brazil.	the visceral leishmaniasis (vl) in brazil is caused by leishmania chagasi (l. infantum) and dogs are considered to be the main domestic reservoir. the epidemiological control involves the elimination of infected dogs. therefore, the correct diagnosis is very important in order to avoid the disease transmission or unnecessary culling of dogs. recently, an antileishmanial vaccine for dogs was licensed and commercialized in brazil. vaccinated dogs test positive in the conventional serological tests ...	2008	18242866
first report of vertical transmission of leishmania (leishmania) infantum in a naturally infected bitch from brazil.	dogs are the most important reservoir of leishmania (l.) infantum, the causal agent of visceral leishmaniasis (vl) in brazil. vectorial infection is the main route of transmission of the parasites. this paper reports the first case of vertical transmission of l. infantum in brazil, confirmed by pcr and immunohistochemistry techniques in samples from spleen and liver of two stillborn pups from a bitch naturally infected with l. infantum in belo horizonte city, endemic area of vl. this result conf ...	2009	19733439
natural infection of lutzomyia neivai and lutzomyia sallesi (diptera: psychodidae) by leishmania infantum chagasi in brazil.	natural infections with leishmania were found in females of the phlebotomine sand flies lutzomyia neivai (pinto) (= nyssomyia neivai) and lutzomyia sallesi (galvão & coutinho) (= evandromyia sallesi) (diptera: psychodidae) from lassance, in the brazilian state of minas gerais. promastigotes were found in the pyloric region of the former species and in the abdominal midgut of the latter species. insects found to be infected by microscopic examination were macerated in saline solution and inoculat ...	2009	19769049
the molecular detection of different leishmania species within sand flies from a cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis sympatric area in southeastern brazil.	over the last 20 years, there has been an increase in the number of leishmaniasis cases in brazil. belo horizonte (bh) is one of the most highly populated brazilian cities that is affected by visceral leishmaniasis (vl). the health services in bh are coordinated by a central nucleus that is subdivided into nine sanitary districts. historically, the highest level of human vl cases was found in the northeast sanitary district (nsd). the objective of our study was to detect leishmania infection in ...	2010	21225201
first report of infection of lutzomyia longipalpis by leishmania (leishmania) infantum from a naturally infected cat of brazil.	in recent years, cases of feline visceral leishmaniasis (fvl) have been described in different countries. in urban areas, domestic cats are suggested as possible alternative reservoirs of leishmania (l.) infantum, the causal agent of visceral leishmaniasis (vl). this paper reports the first case of infection of lutzomyia longipalpis by l. infantum of a naturally infected cat from brazil through xenodiagnosis. the presence of a cat with fvl and its infectivity to the natural vector in belo horizo ...	2010	20832944
[natural infection with leishmania infantum chagasi in lutzomyia (lutzomyia) longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae) sandflies captured in the municipality of janaúba, state of minas gerais, brazil].	visceral leishmaniasis has been notified in nearly all states of brazil, and particularly in the north of minas gerais, where the disease is endemic. the aim of this study was to detect natural infection of lutzomyia longipalpis and, through the pcr/rflp technique, identify leishmania species found in sandflies in the municipality of janaúba.	2011	21340410
prevalence and factors associated with leishmania infantum infection of dogs from an urban area of brazil as identified by molecular methods.	various factors contribute to the urbanization of the visceral leishmaniasis (vl), including the difficulties of implementing control measures relating to the domestic reservoir. the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis in an urban endemic area in brazil and the factors associated with leishmania infantum infection among seronegative and pcr-positive dogs.	2011	21858243
Histopathological and parasitological study of the gastrointestinal tract of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum.	ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to provide a systematic pathological and parasitological overview of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), including the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, caecum and colon, of dogs naturally infected with Leishmania. METHODS: Twenty mongrel dogs naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) infantum and obtained from the Control Zoonosis Center of the Municipality of Ribeirao das Neves, Belo Horizonte Metropolitan area, Minas Gerais (MG) state, Br ...	2011	22166041
wild, synanthropic and domestic hosts of leishmania in an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis in minas gerais state, brazil.	domestic, synanthropic and wild hosts of leishmania spp. parasites were studied in an area endemic for american tegumentary leishmaniasis (atl), specifically in northern minas gerais state, brazil. domestic dogs and small forest mammals are reservoir hosts for l. (leishmania) infantum. however, the role that these animals play in the transmission cycle of the leishmania spp. that cause cutaneous leishmaniasis is not well known. this study evaluated 72 rodents, 25 marsupials and 98 domestic dogs ...	2011	21890159
morphology and growth characteristics of cultured leptomonas ctenocephali from ctenocephalides felis felis (siphonaptera: pulicidae) of dogs in brazil.	to confirm the taxonomic identification of a trypanosomatid found in the hindgut, rectum and malpighian tubules of dog fleas captured in belo horizonte, minas gerais, brazil, between april and november of 2005, 910 specimens of ctenocephalides felis felis were removed from street dogs and dissected, and isolates from their digestive tracts were cultivated in nnn-alpha-mem medium. four different morphological forms were observed in culture: long, slender, twisted promastigotes with a long flagell ...	2011	21511398
first evidence of autochthonous cases of leishmania (leishmania) infantum in horse (equus caballus) in the americas and mixed infection of leishmania infantum and leishmania (viannia) braziliensis.	this study reports the first evidence of infection by leishmania infantum in equus caballus in americas and the first mixed infection of l. infantum/leishmania braziliensis on this mammalian species in the world. the diagnoses was based on presence of parasites in lesions and bone marrow aspirates, their identification by using specific primers for l. infantum and l. braziliensis complexes and also serological methods ifat and elisa. the analysis of the pcr products suggested mixed infection in ...	2013	23845306
transcriptome exploration of the sex pheromone gland of lutzomyia longipalpis (diptera: psychodidae: phlebotominae).	molecules involved in pheromone biosynthesis may represent alternative targets for insect population control. this may be particularly useful in managing the reproduction of lutzomyia longipalpis, the main vector of the protozoan parasite leishmania infantum in latin america. besides the chemical identity of the major components of the l. longipalpis sex pheromone, there is no information regarding the molecular biology behind its production. to understand this process, obtaining information on ...	2013	23497448
study of sand flies (diptera: psychodidae) in visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis areas in the central-western state of minas gerais, brazil.	the transmission of leishmania involves several species of sand flies that are closely associated with various parasites and reservoirs, with differing transmission cycles in brazil. a study on the phlebotomine species composition has been conducted in the municipality of divinópolis, minas gerais, brazil, an endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis (cl), which has intense occurrence of visceral leishmaniasis (vl) cases. in order to study the sand flies populations and their seasonality, cdc lig ...	2013	23178219
infection with leishmania (leishmania) infantum of 0 to 18-month-old children living in a visceral leishmaniasis-endemic area in brazil.	the diagnosis of leishmania (leishmania) infantum infection in children from birth may serve as a reference for the early identification of cases that would progress to classical visceral leishmaniasis (vl) in endemic areas. this study prospectively evaluated newborns of mothers living in the municipality of paracatu, minas gerais, brazil. the infants were followed up at 6-month intervals by clinical examination, serological tests (immunofluorescence [iif] and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay w ...	2014	24935952
ecological aspects of the phlebotominae fauna (diptera: psychodidae) in the xakriabá indigenous reserve, brazil.	sand fly collections were performed to study ecological aspects of the phlebotominae fauna of the xakriabá indigenous reserve, an area with endemic cutaneous leishmaniasis, located in the state of minas gerais, brazil.	2014	24886717
molecular detection of leishmania in phlebotomine sand flies (diptera: psychodidae) from a cutaneous leishmaniasis focus atxakriabá indigenous reserve, brazil.	autochthonous cases of american cutaneous leishmaniasis (acl) have been reported since 2001 in the xakriabá indigenous reserve located in the municipality of são joão das missões in northern minas gerais state, brazil. in order to study the presence of leishmania dna in phlebotomine sand flies, six entomological collections were carried out from july 2008 through july 2009, using 40 light traps placed in peridomicile areas of 20 randomly selected houses. from october 2011 through august 2012, an ...	2015	25853254
survey of sand flies (diptera: psychodidae) in an environmentally protected area in brazil.	brazil is one of the most important endemic areas for leishmaniasis worldwide. protected areas that are tourist attractions likely present an important risk of transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis (cl). furthermore, with the geographical expansion of visceral leishmaniasis (vl), several studies have recorded the occurrence of its vector, lutzomyia longipalpis, and cases of human and canine vl in such tourist areas. the parque estadual do sumidouro is an environmentally protected area located ...	2015	26267484
evidence of leishmania (leishmania) infantum infection in dogs from juiz de fora, minas gerais state, brazil, based on immunochromatographic dual-path platform (dpp®) and pcr assays.	in brazil, domestic dogs are branded as the primary reservoir for zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis, due to the clear positive correlation observed between human and canine infection rates. this study aimed to carry out a serological survey of canine visceral leishmaniasis (cvl) in dogs housed at a public kennel in the municipality of juiz de fora, minas gerais state, brazil, using the immunochromatographic tr dpp® cvl rapid test. additionally, conventional and/or real time pcr assay was used to d ...	2015	24879001
genetic homogeneity among leishmania (leishmania) infantum isolates from dog and human samples in belo horizonte metropolitan area (bhma), minas gerais, brazil.	certain municipalities in the belo horizonte metropolitan area (bhma), minas gerais, brazil, have the highest human visceral leishmaniasis (vl) mortality rates in the country and also demonstrate high canine seropositivity. in brazil, the etiologic agent of vl is leishmania (leishmania) infantum. the aim of this study was to evaluate the intraspecific genetic variability of parasites from humans and from dogs with different clinical forms of vl in five municipalities of bhma using pcr-rflp and t ...	2015	25889010
leishmania infantum infection in dogs from the southern region of minas gerais state, brazil.	visceral leishmaniasis is a systemic and chronic disease and dogs are the main reservoir of the etiologic agent, leishmania infantum (syn l. chagasi). a serological and molecular investigation of canine visceral leishmaniasis (cvl) was performed in the municipality of alfenas, located in the southern region of minas gerais, where the disease is not endemic. samples from 87 dogs were submitted to serological tests including the dual path platform (dpp (r) ) cvl bio-manguinhos rapid test, an in-ho ...	2016	27828616
seasonality of sand flies (diptera: psychodidae) and leishmania dna detection in vector species in an area with endemic visceral leishmaniasis.	leishmaniases are a serious health problem in southeast brazil, including the city of belo horizonte (bh), minas gerais state (mg), where there are high rates of incidence and mortality due to visceral leishmaniases. bh is divided into nine sanitary districts (sd) of which one, the venda nova sd, was selected for this study because it has high rates of positivity for canine leishmaniasis and high incidence of human leishmaniasis.	2017	28327794
leishmania infection in bats from a non-endemic region of leishmaniasis in brazil.	leishmaniasis is a complex of zoonotic diseases caused by parasites of the genus leishmania, which can develop in domestic as well as wild animals and humans throughout the world. currently, this disease is spreading in rural and urban areas of non-endemic regions in brazil. recently, bats have gained epidemiological significance in leishmaniasis due to its close relationship with human settlements. in this study, we investigated the presence of leishmania spp. dna in blood samples from 448 bats ...	2017	28831941