Estudos de base populacional sobre Filariose Linfática no Brasil, 1995-2024: revisão sistemática

Abstract

Objective: To review population-based studies on lymphatic filariasis in Brazil. Methods: This is a systematic review conducted in the Embase, Scopus, Lilacs, PAHO, WHOLIS, PubMed, SciELO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, including studies published between 1995 and 2024. Two reviewers independently performed the selection, data extraction, and qualitative synthesis. Results: Twenty-three studies were included, most conducted in the Metropolitan Region of Recife (82.6%). Microfilaremia prevalence ranged from 0% to 17.8%, with a higher incidence in males and cases present in all age groups, including children. Circulating filarial antigen tests (ICT and Og4C3-ELISA) demonstrated superior sensitivity to conventional parasitological methods. Spatial analysis revealed a focal distribution of the disease, associated with indicators of social deprivation and poor sanitation. Conclusion: Lymphatic filariasis in Brazil was characterized by focal transmission in the Recife Metropolitan Region, higher prevalence in males, and underestimation by conventional parasitological methods, with its recent elimination being the result of decades of integrated interventions.