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Abstract INTRODUCTION: Visceral leishmaniasis has a broad worldwide distribution and constitutes a public health problem in the Northeast of Brazil. Located in this region is the state of Alagoas, where the disease is endemic in humans and where there has been a significant increase in the number of positive dogs. The objective of this study was to describe the temporal and spatial distribution of the cases of human VL in the state of Alagoas with the aim of identifying transmission risk areas in the period from 2007 to 2018. METHODS: The data available in the National Disease Notification System (SINAN-NET) were used. The Bayesian incidence rate and the Moran’s global index were calculated using the Terra View 4.2.2 program, and the maps were created using QGIS2.18.0. RESULTS: From the 102 municipalities, 68.6% (n= 70) had at least one notified case of VL in the years of study. A total of 489 cases were registered, with an average of 40.7 cases per year and an incidence rate of 1.25/100,000 inhabitants. The highest number of confirmed cases (105) occurred in 2018. Male individuals and children between 1-4 years old were the most affected, and 64% of the cases were in rural areas. Spatial dependence was detected in all the intervals except for the first triennium, and clusters were formed in the west of the state. CONCLUSIONS: Alagoas presented an accentuated geographical expansion of VL, and it is necessary to prioritize areas and increase surveillance actions and epidemiological control.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence and risk factors associated with canine visceral leishmaniasis in Paraíba State. METHODS: Blood samples were collected from 411 dogs in four municipalities of Paraíba State. The seroprevalence was assessed by using ELISA. RESULTS: The seroprevalence ranged from 7.2% to 20%. The risk factors that were associated with the disease were the presence of ticks and contact with other animals. CONCLUSIONS: The seroprevalence of canine visceral leishmaniasis is high in Paraíba, indicating the need for health authorities to resume visceral leishmaniasis control activities. The ruralization of suburban areas in the region tends to homogenize the risk factors between suburban and rural areas.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) primarily occurs in regions that present socioeconomic, health, and environmental vulnerability. In Pernambuco, Brazil, this neglected zoonosis has expanded in magnitude as well as geographically, and efforts to manage HVL have been insufficient to contain its spread. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of human illness due to HVL during 2006 to 2015 in Pernambuco State. METHODS: This study was conducted using secondary data collected from the Health Information System. RESULTS: During the study period, Pernambuco accounted for 2.4% of HVL cases in Brazil, with 49.6% of these concentrated in the macroregions of São Francisco Valley and Araripe. The percentage of municipalities that reported cases at the beginning of the study period increased from 21.1% (n = 39) to 43.8% (n = 81) by the end of the period. Cases were found predominantly among males, brown-skinned individuals, children aged 1-4 years, and individuals with incomplete 1st to 4th grade education. Coinfection with HIV was present in 5.6% of cases. Incidence was 9.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, and lethality was 12.3%. CONCLUSIONS: HVL has shown worrying expansion and evolution, in addition to high lethality, in Pernambuco. The only study of its kind in the past decade, it was evident from this study that despite efforts to contain this disease, HVL in Pernambuco exhibits patterns similar to those described in previous studies. Based on our results, we suggest reassessing the current prevention and control measures in the state.