Epidemiology, Associated Factors and Treatment Methods of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Based on Previous Data from 2013 to 2018 in Ilam, Western Iran

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Associated Risk Factors and Prevention in Hubuna, Najran, Saudi Arabia

Background

Many countries are currently affected by leishmaniasis, and cutaneous leishmaniasis is ranked among the ten most neglected diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors related to cutaneous leishmaniasis and preventive measures among people living in Hubuna, Najran, Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A community-based cross-sectional survey was conducted from January to October 2022. A convenience sampling technique was used, with 396 individuals invited to participate in the current study and 391 included. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized for collecting data. Descriptive analysis was used for risk factors and preventive measures, while χ² tests were used for determining associations with risk factors.

Results

Among participants, 38.1% (n=149) reported having cutaneous leishmaniasis clinically diagnosed and under treatment. Age 0-10 years was found to be associated significantly with cutaneous leishmaniasis infection (AOR 3.08, 95% CI 1.6-6.4; P=0.002) compared to other groups. A significant association was noted too for those residing in/around planted areas versus those who were not (AOR 1.18, 95% CI 0.13-2.24; P<0.001). In terms of occupation, farming was significantly associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis (AOR 2.54, 95% CI 1.15-3.76; P=0.010). No significant associations were observed in regard to sex (AOR 1.4, 95% CI 0.7-1.6; P=0.11), education (P=0.072), or preventive measures used (P>0.05).

Conclusion

The cutaneous leishmaniasis endemicity level in Hubuna was high. Several socioeconomic and environmental factors contribute enormously to the spread of the disease in the area. Further investigation of risk factors of cutaneous leishmaniasis all over the country and setting up appropriate interventions to prevent its spread are recommended.

Epidemiological features of cutaneous leishmaniasis and distribution of sand flies in an endemic area in southeast of Iran

Introduction

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a widespread tropical infectious disease in the world. It is one of the most important health problem in Iran which is endemic in different parts of country. This study was conducted to determine epidemiological features of CL and distribution of sand flies in Hajiabad County, one of the important CL foci in southeast of Iran.

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2019 to March 2020.

All of the suspected CL cases with skin lesions who referred to Hajiabad County health centers and all actively detected patients were clinically and parasitologically examined for CL. Demographic and clinical data of all patients were recorded. Moreover, in this study, sand flies were collected monthly from four typical plain and foothill villages during their active season (May–November) using sticky trap. Sand flies were mounted as permanent microscopic slides, using Puri's medium, and identified by taxonomic keys. Data were analyzed using SPSS.21 software and descriptive statistics.

Results and discussion

A total of 70 confirmed cases of CL were recorded; the incidence rate of the disease was 101 per 100,000 people. The most infected age group was 0–10 years, with a rate of 64.3%. Males were infected more than females and the majority of cases (85.7%) were recorded from rural areas. Most of the cases had 1 lesion (51.4%) and the most lesions (55.8%) were in upper extremities. During the study period, 832 sand fly specimens comprised of ten species of Sergentomyia and seven of Phlebotomus were collected and identified. The most prevalent species was P. papatasi (47.12%), followed by P. alexandri (8.41%) and P. salehi (6.25%). Among the collected Phlebotomus species, P. papatasi and P. sergenti are known as the primary vectors of CL and P. alexandri, P. salehi, and P. caucasicus, play the main role as the secondary vectors of CL in Iran.

Conclusion

This study has revealed that CL is endemic in Hajiabad County and there are five CL vectors that are distributed in this County and some of them are more prevalent in plain areas. These findings can be used as a basis for implementation of interventions toward vector control, which may help in suppression of vector density, and consequently, control of CL in the study area.