[Socio-epidemiological and cultural aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis: conceptions, attitudes and practices in the populations of Tierralta and Valencia (Cordoba, Colombia)].

This article focuses on the conceptions, attitudes and practices of the inhabitants from four villages (veredas) in Tierralta and Valencia (Cordoba, Colombia), who have suffered from or are aware of the existence of cutaneous leishmaniasis. A mixed methodology was implemented based in a qualitative design using interviews and focus groups (n=45) and an epidemiological design which included applying the Montenegro test (n=251), uncovering suspected cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis in humans, (n=5) and applying epidemiological surveys (n=409). Among the results, a lack of knowledge regarding the vector was found; although respondents could identify the Lutzomyia (known as "alú"), they did not correlate it with cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Presence of Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762) and its natural infection with dengue virus at unrecorded heights in Colombia.

Introduction: Aedes aegypti is the main vector of urban yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya and Zika viruses. The biogeographical distribution of this species has expanded due to global warming, and socioeconomic and cultural factors. The changes in the altitudinal distribution patterns of this vector and its natural infection are priority fields of research to develop entomological, virological and public health surveillance strategies.

[Study of knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to leishmaniasis: evidence of government neglect in the Colombian Darién].

American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is considered a public health problem worldwide, and incidence in Colombia is 12,000 cases per year. Colombia has implemented control programs for years which have often overlooked the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of the regions where the disease occurs. As part of an epidemiological study, this article presents the results of a survey on knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to leishmaniasis in rural populations in Acandí in the Colombian Darién.

Differentiation of Leishmania (Viannia) panamensis and Leishmania (V.) guyanensis using BccI for hsp70 PCR-RFLP.

Leishmania panamensis and Leishmania guyanensis are two species of the subgenus Viannia that are genetically very similar. Both parasites are usually associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis, but also have the potential to cause the mucocutaneous form of the disease. In addition, the study of foci and consequently the identification of vectors and probable reservoirs involved in transmission require a correct differentiation between both species, which is important at epidemiological level.

Efficacy of killed whole-parasite vaccines in the prevention of leishmaniasis: a meta-analysis.

Despite decades of investigation in countries on three continents, an efficacious vaccine against Leishmania infections has not been developed. Although some indication of protection was observed in some of the controlled trials conducted with "first-generation" whole, inactivated Leishmania parasite vaccines, convincing evidence of protection was lacking. After reviewing all previously published or unpublished randomized, controlled field efficacy clinical trials of prophylactic candidate vaccines, a meta-analysis of qualified trials was conducted to evaluate whether there was some evidence of protection revealed by considering the results of all trials together.

First generation leishmaniasis vaccines: a review of field efficacy trials.

First generation candidate vaccines against leishmaniasis, prepared using inactivated whole parasites as their main ingredient, were considered as promising because of their relative ease of production and low cost. These vaccines have been the subject of many investigations over several decades and are the only leishmaniasis vaccine candidates which have undergone phase 3 clinical trial evaluation. Although the studies demonstrated the safety of the vaccines and several studies showed reasonable immunogenicity and some indication of protection, an efficacious prophylactic vaccine is yet to be identified.