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The epidemiologic study was conducted during the 1973-1984 period. The clinical prospective exam and Montenegro skin, immunofluorescent and passive hemagglutination tests have been carried out in three small localities between Pedro de Toledo e Miracatu municipalities, São Paulo, Brazil. The retrospective study of human-cases involved 108 and 65 cases registered in Pedro de Toledo e Miracatu, respectively. In the three communities studied, 273 people were examined clinically and serologically. Twenty two individuals had had signals of cutaneous leishmaniasis; 10.2 and 12.8% were seropositive to IF and HA. Leishmanin skin testing of a sample of 154 people residents in Pedra do Largo showed prevalence of Leishmania infection in 25.5%. This result involved individual of all ages and sex. However, 5.8% of them were from 0 to 9 years old. The data confirmed that active parasite transmission didn't occur every year, either. The human infection seems not to depend on man contact with a forest. The incidence relatively low suggests low endemic area for cutaneous leishmaniasis and an explosive behavior of the cases. The temporal distribution of disease was irregular and the epidemiological pattern seen was different from the other endemic area of South America.

The evidence of mucocutaneous leishmaniasis transmission in the non-forest environment in the Ribeira Valley region, São Paulo, Brazil, has made this epidemiologic four years' study possible, viewing the enzootic activity of L. (V.) braziliensis. Furthermore, the natural infection in small mammals and the domestic dog population has been completed in collecting of phlebotomine sandflies in the forest and peridomiciliar environments. Positive test-results have only been found in resident dogs (Canis familiaris) with a rate of 5.6 and 2.4% for serological and parasitological test respectively. Among silvatic and synanthropic rodents collected, Oryzomys (Olygoryzomys) and Rattus rattus are pre-eminent having both been collected in equal proportions, in peridomiciliar environment. The sandfly Lutzomyia intermedia has contributed only with 166 feminine specimens due to insecticide (DDT) application on and in the human and domestic habitations. From the general epidemiologic standpoint the fragile L. (V.) braziliensis cycle in the unforested areas as well as the canine and small mammals roles as a domiciliar infection source are discussed, and their potencial in the dispersion of this parasite in the researched area is analysed too.