INSECTICIDE IMPREGNATED COLLAR FOR VISCERAL LEISHMANIASIS CONTROL: AN IMPLEMENTATION STUDY

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe the protocol used to evaluate different outcomes related to the implementation of collars impregnated with DM4% for VL prevention and control measure in Brazil. METHODS: An observational, implementation-focused, multicenter study was designed in accordance with the strategies of the national program for the prevention and control of VL. The study followed the implementation research approach, which is conducted in real-world conditions, working directly with populations that will be affected by an intervention, rather than selected groups as is common in randomized trials. RESULTS: Seven municipalities were included in the study, located in Ceará, Maranhão, Mato Grosso do Sul and Minas Gerais states. To date, 106,375 specimens of Lu longipalpis have been identified in the municipalities under monitoring (17.6% females). Of the females analyzed, around 18% were engorged. In the analysis of natural infection, 56 out of 1,699 (3.3%) pools of females analyzed were positive for Leishmania. To evaluate the dispersal of sandflies, 247 specimens were captured and marked. 25 marked specimens were recaptured (10% recapture rate). The greatest recapture distance was 300 meters. In the city of Timon observed a drop in canine seropositivity in the test rapid in the collaring area from 26% to 14% between the 1st and 3rd collaring cycles. CONCLUSION: This Implementation research study will provide evidences about the adoption of DM4% impregnated collars in the VL prevention and control program in Brazil, contributing for the improvement and the making decision by local and regional health managers.