FAMILIAL AGGREGATION OF LEISHMANIA-CHAGASI INFECTION IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

A sample of 1,604 individuals belonging to 243 nuclear families from a n endemic area of visceral leishmaniasis (Jacobina, Bahia State, Brazi l) was studied to disclose the intrafamilial pattern of infection. Sig nificant father to offspring, mother to offspring, and sibling to sibl ing associations, in contrast a with nonsignificant father to mother a ssociation, clearly indicate a familial aggregation of the infection, with a strong suggestion of at least partial genetic involvement.