Leishmaniasis in Sardinia. 5. Leishmanin reaction in the human population of a focus of low endemicity of canine leishmaniasis.

About half (640 subjects) of the population of Soleminis, a canine leishmaniasis focus 15 km north of Cagliari, Sardinia, was subjected to the leishmanin skin test. The total positive rate was 9.7%, and that of males was 15.5%. The age trend in the positive rate resembled a hyperbolic curve, with the 0-5 years age group rate being zero and the highest rate (39.3%) occurring in the 55-65 years age group. The Soleminis focus was classified as hypoendemic, with a prevalence of canine leishmaniasis of about 3%. Dog surveillance, land reclamation and changes in population habits during the last few decades are considered to be responsible for the reduction of transmission to man.