EDITOR – The clinical review on leishmaniasis focuses on the new
developments related to the various aspects of the disease, i.e.
diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis in developing countries, where the
disease is endemic.
The reader might think that leishmaniasis is a typical tropical
disease and that people living in more temperate areas will never face
such parasitosis. On the contrary, in all Mediterranean areas
leishmaniasis is still present, even if the incidence of the disease fell
sharply after the intensive spraying with antimalarial insecticide (DDT,
dicophane), during the 1950s to reclaim lands and improve housing
conditions.
As a matter of fact, before 1948 our Department used to see an
average of 143 cases per year (range 20-302) of visceral leishmaniasis;
subsequently the number fell to 10 (range 2-22).
People at risk are not only those living in Sicily and other
Mediterranean centres, but also holidaymakers, that come to Mediterranean
areas as tourists in search of the sun. Since incubation time may lasts as
long as 2 years, the typical symptoms (fever, anaemia, spleen enlargement)
may arise long after the return home and it may be difficult to reach the
correct diagnosis.
I would like to stress the need for all doctors to be aware of the
fact that leishmaniasis is still a presence in all Mediterranean
countries, and therefore, this parasitosis should strongly suspected when
the typical symptoms arise in someone who has spent some time where it is
endemic, Mediterranean countries included. Even Sicilian family doctors
rarely think of leishmaniasis and often send the patients to our
Department with a clinical suspect of malignancy.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests:
No competing interests
21 February 2003
Giovanna Russo
Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Catania
Departement of Pediatrics - Via Santa Sofia 78 - 95123 Catania - Italy
Rapid Response:
Leishmaniasis: not only a tropical disease
EDITOR – The clinical review on leishmaniasis focuses on the new
developments related to the various aspects of the disease, i.e.
diagnosis, therapy and prophylaxis in developing countries, where the
disease is endemic.
The reader might think that leishmaniasis is a typical tropical
disease and that people living in more temperate areas will never face
such parasitosis. On the contrary, in all Mediterranean areas
leishmaniasis is still present, even if the incidence of the disease fell
sharply after the intensive spraying with antimalarial insecticide (DDT,
dicophane), during the 1950s to reclaim lands and improve housing
conditions.
As a matter of fact, before 1948 our Department used to see an
average of 143 cases per year (range 20-302) of visceral leishmaniasis;
subsequently the number fell to 10 (range 2-22).
People at risk are not only those living in Sicily and other
Mediterranean centres, but also holidaymakers, that come to Mediterranean
areas as tourists in search of the sun. Since incubation time may lasts as
long as 2 years, the typical symptoms (fever, anaemia, spleen enlargement)
may arise long after the return home and it may be difficult to reach the
correct diagnosis.
I would like to stress the need for all doctors to be aware of the
fact that leishmaniasis is still a presence in all Mediterranean
countries, and therefore, this parasitosis should strongly suspected when
the typical symptoms arise in someone who has spent some time where it is
endemic, Mediterranean countries included. Even Sicilian family doctors
rarely think of leishmaniasis and often send the patients to our
Department with a clinical suspect of malignancy.
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests