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Contribution of molecular techniques to the epidemiology of neotropical Leishmania species.

Silva ES, Gontijo CM, Melo MN

Departamento de Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Avenida Antônio Carlos 6627, 31270-901 Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. eduardosilva@funedi.edu.br

Brandão-Filho et al. and Oliveira et al. have recently reported the detection of Leishmania in sylvatic and synanthropic animals that were captured in areas of Brazil that are endemic for leishmaniasis. Such investigations raise the issue of reservoirs of important endemic diseases by using modern molecular biology and biochemical techniques that complement traditional methods. Ecoepidemiological studies focusing on possible reservoirs have been important for providing contributions to prophylaxis and control measures to be employed by public health authorities.

Published 15 November 2005 in Trends Parasitol, 21(12): 550-2.
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