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PERIDOMESTIC RISK FACTORS FOR CANINE LEISHMANIASIS IN URBAN DWELLINGS: NEW FINDINGS FROM A PROSPECTIVE STUDY IN BRAZIL

Despite the wealth of information on the prevalence and correlates of canine Leishmania infection (CLI), data on its incidence are still sparse, and little is known regarding risk factors for CLI. We studied a cohort of dogs in an urban area in Brazil to determine whether incidence varied with age, breed, and environmental characteristics. The mean follow-up was 1.5 years, and the crude incidence rate was 11.8 cases/100 dog-years (95% confidence interval [CI] = 8.6–15.6). In the multivariate analysis, short fur was the strongest predictor of CLI (relative risk [RR] = 9.4). In addition, our data indicate that raising pigs (RR = 4.1), chickens (RR = 3.3), or other livestock (RR = 2.6) significantly increased the risk of CLI. Thus, suggesting control measures directed towards modifying the environmental factors favoring contact between vectors, reservoirs, and susceptible humans, such as proximity to pigpens or hen houses. Furthermore, conventional control programs of insecticidal spraying of human dwellings should also apply insecticide in and around animal sheds.

Received July 2, 2003. Accepted for publication August 7, 2003.

Acknowledgments: We thank Eliane G. Nascimento and Dr. Moacyr Paranhos-Silva for logistic support in the fieldwork; Dr. Paulo P. Aguiar, Dr. Maria F. A. Cruz, Carlos F. L. Lobo, Antônio de Almeida Filho, Elivani S. de Jesus, and Rita C. J. Santos for helping with data collection; and Dr. Washington L. C. Santos for his helpful comments. We are also grateful to all health care workers and technicians at the Programa Integrado de Endemias de Jequié Clinic in Jequié for their assistance.

Financial support: This research was partially funded by a grant (52.1122/98) from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) and a grant (PV-98935) from the Centro de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CADCT).

Authors’ addresses: Edson D. Moreira, Jr., Verena M. M. de Souza, Nilson L. Lopes, Ronald B. Barreto, and Lain P. de Carvalho, Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, Salvador, Bahia Brazil, CEP 40.295-001, Telephone: 55-71-356-8781, extension 243, Fax: 55-71-356-2155, E-mails: edson{at}cpqgm.fiocruz.br, verena{at}cpqgm.fiocruz.br, ronaldb{at}cpqgm.fiocruz.br, and laim{at}cpqgm.fiocruz.br Meera Sreenivasan, Division of Epidemiology and Public Health Biology School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, Telephone: 510-642-6000, Fax: 510-642-9900.

Reprint requests: Edson D. Moreira, Jr., Rua Waldemar Falcão 121, Salvador, Bahia Brazil, CEP 40.295-001.