The epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, Iran, during 2001-2011

Abstract

Background: Isfahan province is one of the common foci of the cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran, particularly the wet or rural zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL). Due to the lack of information about the epidemiology and prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, Iran, this study was designed. Methods: Data were collected from the recorded data of patients with leishmaniasis referred to Isfahan Province Health Care Center, Isfahan, Iran. The patients were diagnosed by direct microscopic examination of the samples. Data concerning demographic features, the number and location of lesions, duration of disease, area of residence, work location, the history of travel within the past two months, address, and telephone number of the patients was collected. The epidemiological status of leishmaniasis was determined from the recorded data. Findings: In total, data of 28315 patients with leishmaniasis during 2001 to 2011 were studied. Among them, 10809 (38.2) patients were women and 17491 (61.8) were men. The mean age of the patients was 22.40 ± 16.52 years (range: 1-100 years). The incidence of lesions was 12.1 in face, 12.3 in hands and legs, 4.5 in face and hands, 24.1 in legs, 32.3 in hands and 11.5 in the other parts of body. 12163 patients (43) had one, 6330 (22.4) had two, 503 (8.1) had three, and 8008 (28.3) had more than three lesions. Overall, 17883 patients (63.2) lived in urban areas and 8241 (29.1) in rural areas and most of the cases were seen among those who lived in cities and urban areas. Conclusion: Considering the high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Isfahan province, eliminating the leishmaniasis vector and its reservoirs in this endemic area seems to be necessary. During the years, it has been showed that leishmaniasis is endemic in Isfahan province; hence, a more extensive epidemiologic study is recommended. © 2015, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All Rights Reserved.