Incidência de casos de leishmaniose tegumentar no Brasil no período de 2020 a 2024: um estudo epidemiológico

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an infectious, vector-borne disease caused by protozoa of the Leishmania genus and is considered a neglected condition of major public health importance in Brazil. Its occurrence is strongly associated with environmental, social, and economic factors that favor vector proliferation, particularly in historically vulnerable regions. This study aimed to assess the incidence of CL cases in Brazil between 2020 and 2024 and to characterize the epidemiological profile of affected individuals. This is an epidemiological, descriptive, and retrospective study with a quantitative approach, using secondary data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN). Sociodemographic variables (sex, age, ethnicity, education) and clinical variables (clinical form, diagnostic criteria, type of entry, and outcome) were analyzed. The results showed that 71,942 cases were reported in Brazil during the study period, with the highest concentration in the North and Northeast regions. A predominance of cases was observed among males, young adults, and individuals of mixed race, in addition to a greater frequency among those with lower education levels. The cutaneous form was the most frequent, and most cases evolved to cure. The North region presented the highest incidence rates, evidencing the influence of socio-environmental conditions and social inequalities on the persistence of the disease. In conclusion, CL remains endemic in Brazil and is closely linked to social and environmental determinants of health, reinforcing the need for targeted public policies, continuous epidemiological surveillance, educational strategies, and interventions directed at populations most vulnerable to transmission.