Epidemiologic Profile of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Between 2010 - 2016 in an Endemic Area of Fars Province, South Iran

Abstract

Background: Leishmaniasis contains a group of zoonotic diseases that is caused by infected phlebotomine sandflies with flagellate protozoa of the genus Leishmania. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine some epidemiological aspects of patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis referring to Marvdasht health center, Fars Province, Iran. Methods: Demographic and clinical data of all patients recorded in Marvdasht Health Center, the Infectious Diseases Unit from 2010 to 2016. Results: 7418 confirmed cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to health centers for receiving treatment. The mean age of the patients was 32.9 ± 26.9 year and the incidence of disease in men was higher than women. The age group was 21 to 30 years old (22.9%) had the most cases. The average duration of exposure to detection of the disease was 4.9 ± 1.38 months. The prevalence of wet lesions was significantly higher than dry lesions, and the average size of the lesions was 4.27 cm. The average number of lesions was 1.58 per person, and most of them were in hands (39.6%) and feet (21.4%). The incidence of disease was higher in the autumn than other seasons and it occurred more in rural areas. Conclusions: Marvdasht city is an endemic area of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran. Our results showed that the number of cases reported has fluctuated in recent years. Therefore, it is very important for the health system to implement an accurate and effective continuous monitoring strategy for this important vector-borne disease in this part of the country.