Revista Brasileira de Epidemiologia
Print version ISSN 1415-790X
MEDEIROS, Zulma et al. Lymphatic filariasis in Moreno, Northeast Brazil. Rev. bras. epidemiol. [online]. 2004, vol.7, n.1, pp. 73-79. ISSN 1415-790X. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1415-790X2004000100009.
It is estimated that 49 thousand people in Brazil, living in three endemic areas, may be infected with Wuchereria bancrofti: Maceió-AL, Belém-PA, and the metropolitan area of Recife-PE. This last area presents the highest incidence in the country. This study aims to identify the boundaries between municipalities with and without active transmission in the state of Pernambuco. To that end, a cross-sectional study was performed in the town of Moreno, in the metropolitan area of Recife. The epidemiological survey consisted of interviews using questionnaires with information related to filariasis, and blood sampling for parasitological examination. From the 2,513 thick blood films performed, two microfilaraemic individuals were found, both of them from Recife. Regarding clinical manifestations, 65 individuals (2.6%) reported complaints related to filariasis. As to previous treatment for filariasis, 24 individuals (0.9%) affirmed having already taken diethylcarbamazine. This study shows the extension of filariasis in the metropolitan area of Recife, and has established that Moreno presents the conditions to keep the parasitic cycle. Therefore, municipal disease surveillance should identify the most risky areas for transmission in order to develop measures to avoid the ongoing conditions.
Keywords : Surveys; Lymphatic filariasis; Wuchereria bancrofti; Endemic; Epidemiology.