Epidemiology of leishmaniasis related to agriculture and prospecting in a locality of the State of Bahia, Brazil

This study was carried out in the city of Lençóis, State of Bahia, with the objective of verifying the association between leishmaniasis infection and occupation. A Montenegro test and a questionnaire including biological and socio-economic variables were applied to the study group. Sandflies were captured in and around dwellings. The higher-than-average prevalence of leishmaniasis observed among agricultural workers and prospectors is explained by the double exposure to the infection-both at home and at work.

Leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous; Occupation; Phlebotomus; Ecology, vectors