Visceral leishmaniasis: paths that converge and divide

Published 2 November 2012

Doctor en Ciencias Biológicas. Director, Instituto Nacional de Medicina Tropical. Investigador CONICET, Argentina , Doctora en Antropología Social. Investigadora CONICET, Argentina , Doctora en Ciencias Naturales. Investigadora Asistente, Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación de Endemoepidemias, ANLIS, Argentina , Magister en Efectividad Clínica. Médica asistente, Hospital de Pediatría Dr. Juan P. Garrahan, Argentina , Médico Infectólogo. Jefe del Servicio, CEMPRA-MT, Hospital de Infecciosas F. J. Muñiz, Argentina , Médico Veterinario. Jefe Servicio Patología, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén, ANLIS, Argentina , Médica Veterinaria, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén, ANLIS, Argentina , Médica. Jefa de Departamento Clínica, Patología y Tratamiento, Instituto Nacional de Parasitología Dr. Mario Fatala Chabén, ANLIS, Argentina , Médica Veterinaria, Especialista en Epidemiología de Campo. Coordinadora, Programa Nacional de Control de Enfermedades Zoonóticas, Argentina , Médica Veterinaria, Especialista en Epidemiología de Campo, Zoonosis. Dirección de Programación Sanitaria, SENASA, Argentina

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Keywords:

Leishmania infantum, Lutzomyia longipalpis, Diagnosis, Clinical Medicine, Social Perception, Pets

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Abstract

Urban visceral leishmaniasis is an emerging zoonosis in Argentina. In the Americas the disease is produced by Leishmania infantum, with dogs as the primary reservoir and phlebotomine sandflies as the vectors. This article presents the experience acquired by professionals from the National Leishmaniasis Program in Argentina as visceral leishmaniasis has emerged and spread, especially in clinical and laboratory diagnosis, disease treatment, vector biology, reservoir management, and conflicts regarding recommendations for infected dogs. Early detection and treatment, along with decentralized and horizontal strategies, will contribute to the decrease in morbidity and mortality associated with visceral leishmaniasis. Control over the transmission and spread of the disease requires integral environmental management and responsible dog ownership. The interests and discourses put into conflict by visceral leishmaniasis are discussed in the framework of the human-dog relationship, and the search for a consensus-based risk discourse is proposed.