A serological and molecular investigation of American cutaneous leishmaniasis in dogs, three years after an outbreak in the Northwest of Paraná State, Brazil.

Classic and molecular (polymerase chain reaction--PCR) techniques were used to diagnose American cutaneous leishmaniasis in 149 dogs from an area in the northwest of Paraná State, Brazil, where an American cutaneous leishmaniasis outbreak occurred in 2002. The results were compared to a set of previously obtained results. Twenty-five dogs had positive indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) (titers > or = 40), including two animals with suggestive lesions.

[Evaluation of sandfly control measures in northern Paraná State, Brazil].

Sandfly captures from April 2001-September 2002 were compared to those from October 1996-September 1997 and October 1998-April 2000 in order to evaluate control procedures conducted in Recanto Marista in the county of Doutor Camargo, Paraná State, Brazil. Sandflies were captured with Falcão traps twice a month, both in the domiciles and henhouses, from 10 PM to 2 AM. In 2001-2002, 199,821 sandflies were captured, with an hourly average of 1,625.

[Evaluation of sandfly control in Lobato municipality, Paraná State, southern Brazil].

Sandfly control measures were evaluated at the Da Barra Ranch, Lobato municipality, Paraná State, Brazil. The insects were captured with Falcão traps in houses, a cattle corral, and a forest area from July to November 1999 and from February to June 2000. In December 1999 and January 2000 the following measures were taken to decrease the sandfly density in peridomiciliary areas and domiciles: (i) screens were placed on windows of buildings (domiciles, dormitory, cafeteria); (ii) all organic material was cleaned from the peridomiciliary area; and (iii) buildings were sprayed for insects.

[Canine American cutaneous leishmaniasis in municipalities of northern Paraná State, Brazil].

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is an endemic disease in northern Paraná State, where it affects humans and dogs. This study aimed to verify the occurrence of the canine disease in ACL endemic areas. From September 1999 to July 2002, dogs were investigated in 7 rural areas of 5 municipalities where autochthonous human cases of ACL had been reported.

[Influence of rearrangement and cleaning of the peridomiciliary area and building disinsectization on sandfly population density in the municipality of Doutor Camargo, Paraná State, Brazil].

Phlebotomine sandfly captures were performed in the domicile, domestic animal shelters, and peridomicile before and after rearrangement, cleaning, and disinsectization. Phlebotomine sandflies were captured with Falcão traps from October 1998 to April 2000 in the Recanto Marista district, Doutor Camargo municipality, Paraná State. The results were compared with those from October 1996 to September 1997.

[Ecology of Lutzomyia (Nyssomyia) whitmani in an urban area in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil].

Objectives: To study the fauna, hours of activity and seasonality of phlebotomines in forest animal habitats in the Ingá Park, on the urban perimeter of the municipality of Maringá, Paraná State, Brazil.

Methods: Phlebotomines were collected on the urban perimeter using Shannon traps from 6:00 p.m.