Rural campaign to diagnose and treat mucocutaneous leishmaniasis in Bolivia.

Abstract

Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) is endemic in the tropical Amazonian lowlands of Bolivia, an area that regularly receives influxes of migratory populations. In these new agricultural development areas, a campaign to diagnose and treat the disease was carried out between 1989 and 1992, in order to provide direct access to MCL treatment in the endemic areas at a standard equivalent to that offered in the urban centres in Bolivia. The campaign led to the creation of decentralized local centres for diagnosis and treatment of the disease. A campaign to inform the population about leishmaniasis was also undertaken and courses were run to educate medical and paramedical personnel. As a result of the campaign, 3285 cases of leishmaniasis were diagnosed, including 2152 cutaneous and 326 mucosal forms. Also, a total of 1888 cases were treated, 1677 of which cutaneous and 211, mucosal.