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ARTIGO / ARTICLE

Tegumentary and Visceral Leishmaniases in Brazil - Emerging Anthropozoonosis and Possibilities for Their Control1,2 Leishmanioses Tegumentar e Visceral no Brasil - Antropozoonoses Emergentes e Perspectivas de Controle
Mauro Célio de A. Marzochi 3 Keyla Belízia F. Marzochi 3
MARZOCHI, M. C. A. & MARZOCHI, K. B. F. Tegumentary and Visceral Leishmaniases in Brazil - Emerging Anthropozoonosis and Possibilities for Their Control. Cad. Saúde Públ., Rio de Janeiro, 10 (supplement 2): 359-375, 1994. The existence of a number of different species of Leishmania, the persistent increase in the infection rate of diseases caused by this parasite (tegumentary and visceral forms), the different epidemiological situations found in regions of both recent and older colonization, and the trend towards urbanization have led to the adoption of different strategies to control leishmaniases in Brazil. The control measures involve studies related to the parasite, vectors, sources of infection (animal and human), clinical aspects, geographical distribution, historical and socioeconomic factors, integration of health services, and adequate technologies for diagnosis, treatment, and immunoprophylaxis. Finally, successful control requires work with human communities, involving education, provision of information, health promotion, and participation of these communities in the planning, development, and maintenance of control programs. Key words: Leishmaniases; Clinical Classification; Vector Control; Lutzomyia sp.; Community Participation

INTRODUCTION
The importance of leishmaniasis in the world is increasing every day. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that 350 million people are exposed to the risk of becoming infected and that 12 million people are already infected (WHO, 1990). Leishmaniasis is widely distributed in the Americas, from the southern United States to northern Argentina.
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Part of this study was presented at the Brazilian National