Effect of global warming on dermatology practice: The increase in cases of cutaneous larva migrans in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey.

Abstract

Cutaneous larva migrans (CLM) is a parasitic disease seen in people in contact with soil in tropical countries. Almost all cases reported in regions without a tropical climate have a history of travel to a tropical region. In our study, we aimed to investigate the effect of climate change on CLM cases and the demographic characteristics of these cases. For this purpose, the climate information of the period in which we determined the case series and the characteristics of the patients were investigated. The study was designed retrospectively. Patient files and pre- and post-treatment photographic archives were reviewed retrospectively. In addition, the region's weather history over the last 50 years was examined. The records of patients diagnosed with CLM in 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. In total, 22 cases were detected. The common feature of all cases was that they worked as tea pickers. After examining the weather conditions of the period when the cases were commonly reported, it was determined that there was a sharp temperature increase compared with previous years. Due to climate change, an increase in the number of CLM cases is observed in non-tropical regions. Since it is considered a disease-specific to tropical regions, the diagnosis may be overlooked in cases outside these regions. However, CLM should be kept in mind as a diagnostic possibility by clinicians practicing in non-tropical regions as well, especially when treating patients who work with soil, such as tea harvesters.