EPIDEMIOLOGIC ASPECTS OF AMERICAN CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN A PERIURBAN AREA OF THE METROPOLITAN REGION OF BELO-HORIZONTE, MINAS-GERAIS, BRAZIL

In order to characterize the epidemiology of American Cutaneous Leishm aniasis (ACL) in a periurban area of the municipality of Sabara in the metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte (MRBH), an area until then cons idered free of the disease, a cross sectional survey was undertaken in 1990. The survey of the population consisted of 1119 interviews and 8 81 clinical examinations using Montenegro's skin test (MST). A low pre valence (3.7%) of positive MST was encountered. The disease had been o ccurring in the area for about 20 years in the form of sporadic cases. The predominant species of sandfly both in domestic areas and nearby areas of secondary vegetation was Lutzomyia whitmani. A canine survey of delayed hypersensitivity to the antigen P10,000 identified only one dog with a positive reaction out of 113 examined. The transmission of A CL in MRBH was confirmed. The occurrence of the disease in women, c hildren and individuals with no contact with forest areas as well as t he presence of potential vector species in the domiciliar environment, suggests the transmission of the disease in this environment.