Epidemiological trend of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two endemic focus of disease, south of Iran

J Parasit Dis. 2016 Dec;40(4):1609-1613. doi: 10.1007/s12639-015-0740-7. Epub 2016 Jan 14.

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is one the most important zoonotic diseases has different invertebrate hosts in different parts of its range, the vectors are often closely related. Leishmaniasis is a world-wide vector borne disease, affecting 88 countries: especially in the Middle East and southwestern Asia. Nesokiaindica or M. libycuserythrourus are confirmed as reservoir and Phlebotomine sand flies are proven as vectors of the disease in the south of Iran. Patients' information collected from Firouzabad and Ghirokarzin county, Fars province in Iran during 2006-2014. Data analyzed by Chi square test using SPSS19 statistic software. 613 cases (61.91 %) lived in rural and 377 (38.08 %) lived in urban areas. All ages were grouped between 1 and ≥30 years. 479 (48.38 %) of patients being male and 511 (51.61 %) female. 39.49 % of patients were with dry lesions and 60.5 % were with wet lesions. Hand ulcers were the highest prevalence part of body (39.59 %). The common frequent size of lesions was lesser than 2 cm. Regarding the most prevalence rate (47.67 %) raised in autumn season. This study showed that cutaneous leishmaniasis was an endemic disease in Firouzabad and Ghirokarzin regions.

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Fars province; Iran; Sand fly.