American cutaneous leishmaniasis in the State of São Paulo, Brazil--epidemiology in transformation.

American cutaneous leishmaniasis, a disease of great worldwide importance, especially on the American continent, has had its epidemological modifications. These are revised and discussed in view of the current situation of recent increase in its incidence in regions with low morbidity since 1950, where no apparent cause that would justify an epidemic outbreak could be found. We analysed the causes of these alterations and the profile now seen in the State of Sao Paulo, Brazil.