Epidemiology of Imported Leishmaniasis in Italy: Implications for a European Endemic Country.

ABSTRACT: In the past decade, the number of imported leishmaniasis cases has increased in countries of Western Europe. The trend is associated with increasing travels, ecotourism activity, military operations and immigration. While in endemic countries leishmaniasis is usually well diagnosed, accurate patient history and parasite identification are necessary to distinguish between autochthonous and imported cases. This is particularly important, as new Leishmania species/genotypes may be introduced and transmitted by local phlebotomine vectors without appropriate surveillance, with unpredictable consequences. We report on the surveillance of imported leishmaniasis performed by the Leishmania Identification Reference Centre of Rome from 1986 through 2012, involving health care centres from 16/20 Ital

SUBMITTER: Di Muccio T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4482607 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature