A PRELIMINARY EPIDEMIOLOGIC-STUDY OF LEIS HMANIASIS IN AN ENDEMIC ZONE LOCALITY IN TABASCO STATE

The State of Tabasco is localized in the endemic area of cutaneous lei shmaniasis where both diffuse cutaneous leishaniasis and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis have recently been reported. The objective of the prese nt study was to obtain reliable information of the situation of this d isease which has a great relevance as a worldwide public health proble m- through determination of the allergic index in a randomized sample from Rancheria Miguel Hidalgo, Comalcalco Municipality, Tabasco, Mexic o. We found and allergic index of 56 per cent. Farmers and housewives had the highest positive responses to the Montenegro skin test. We fou nd no statistical differences between males and females. Moreover, 3 p atients with active lesions and people with scars suggestive of prior leislimaniasis were detected during the study. This village should be considered a high endemic focus.