Autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil

A retrospective analysis confirms that visceral leishmaniasis is endemic in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil. The study identified 21 autochthonous human cases between 2005 and 2009, predominantly affecting children (12/21) and residents of the Sobradinho region (16/21). Key findings included the presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis sandflies and positive Leishmania serology in dogs across 19 neighborhoods where human cases occurred. The typical clinical presentation—fever, hepatosplenomegaly, and pancytopenia—was observed in 67% of cases, with three fatalities reported. Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi was isolated from one human and twelve canine cases, reinforcing the disease's autochthonous nature.

Carranza-Tamayo, C. O., Carvalho, M. d. S. L. d., Bredt, A., Bofil, M. I. R., Rodrigues, R. M. B., Silva, A. D. d., Cortez, S. M. F. C., & Romero, G. A. S. (2010). Autochthonous visceral leishmaniasis in Brasília, Federal District, Brazil. Revista Da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical, 43(4), 396–399. https://doi.org/10.1590/s0037-86822010000400012