BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of tegumentary Leishmaniasis (TL) is poorly known in the State of Paraná. OBJECTIVES: To verify the geographical distribution of TL cases in four municipalities in the State of Paraná and correlate the notified TL cases with the presence of the remaining vegetation and water streams, using images by satellite monitoring. METHODS: The distribution of 4,416 cases of TL in the State of Paraná, from 1993 to 1998, was done according to the notification records used by the State of Paraná Health Secretariat. The distribution of 231 cases of TL and the correlation between these cases and the remaining forest, as well as the extent to which man has influenced the environment in Cianorte, Japurá, Jussara and São Tomé municipalities was verified using satellite monitoring. RESULTS: The geographical distribution showed a higher concentration of cases in the northern and western regions of Paraná. The satellite monitored images show that there is a close relationship between TL and modified native forest areas, gallery forest areas or the remainder of both. CONCLUSION: It is possible that the areas with higher incidence of TL in Paraná are similar to the ones in Cianorte, Japurá, Jussara and São Tomé municipalities.
ecology; epidemiology; leishmaniasis, mucocutaneous
