American Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Eastern Minas Gerais: veiled reality of a neglected disease

Resumo

Introduction: American cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) is considered an important public health problem in eastern Minas Gerais, Brazil, although neglected. Methods: A mixed study was carried out with a cross sectional and an ecological approach of time series type, using notified and confirmed ACL cases, 2007 to 2020. Primary and secondary data were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (simple linear regression, T test, Mann-Whitney, chi-square (χ2) at a 5% significance level). Results: A total of 219 cases were reported with a decreasing temporal trend, with a higher frequency being observed for the cutaneous form (82.6%), age group 40 to 59 years (32.1%), black race (56,4%) and completed elementary school (47.7%). Individuals with the mucous clinical form had a longer lesion time, a greater chance of not progressing to healing and used more ampoules of Meglumine Antimoniate when compared to patients with the cutaneous form. Conclusions: Different relationships were observed between the variables studied and the profile of involvement with what is described in the scientific literature, with the clinical form predominantly cutaneous and with a good prognosis.