Prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the largest populated city Karachi, Pakistan.

Ihsanullah Ihsanullah,N Zafar,F M Shaikh,S Majeed,N Ahmad,H Ul Hassan,A R Khooharo,E Khooharo,M Ibrahim,Z Masood,A H Mastoi,M J Yousuf

doi:10.1590/1519-6984.247583

Abstract

The study was undertaken from September 2018 to April 2019 to determine the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in human beings living in six districts of Karachi. Suspected persons were screened for the disease and positive cases were identified on the basis of skin lesions and blood samples. Samples were observed by mounting their smear. A total of 207 subjects of different ages and sex groups were investigated, however, only 192 (92%) of the suspected cases were found to have the disease 64% of cases were male which were significantly high (p 0.05), than female 36%. The lesion was more frequently detected among the youth ages of 21-30 years (31%) as compared to other groups. In both sexes, legs were found to be more infected (25% male + 20% female) followed by arms (20% male + 0% female) and face (15% male +11% female). The mixed body parts had shown the lowest infections such as (4% in males + 5%) in females. In conclusion, the highest and lowest leishmaniasis infections were observed in District West (23% male + 9% female) followed by District East (15% male + 7% female), District Malir (11% male+ 4% female), District Central (7% male + 5% female), District Korangi (4% male + 7% female) and District South (4% male + 4% female) respectively.

Highlights

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a vector born protozoan disease caused by a parasite Leishamania and transmits by the bite of a female sand fly
A total of 207 people were searched in the study, 192 of the person, case (92.75%) were found having Cutaneous leishmaniasis, including 64% males (n = 123) and 36% (n = 69) females
The highest frequency of Cutaneous leishmaniasis was noted as 31% in the age group 21-30 years, followed by 22% (11-20 years), 20% (0-10 years), 13% (3140 years) and the lowest prevalence rate was recorded as 7% in both the age group 41-50 and 51-60 years

Summary

Introduction

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a vector born protozoan disease caused by a parasite Leishamania and transmits by the bite of a female sand fly. In humans, such parasites are extensive in endemic areas along with suitable sandfly vectors and mostly found in immune suppressed individuals (Kimutai et al, 2017). Among Leishamania species, approximately 20 species are well-known with the potential of causing infections in humans. WHO (2017) reported the most affected countries with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis including Pakistan, Afghanistan, Albania, Kuwait, Lebanon, Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Belize, Mali, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Tunisia, China, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Spain, Malta, Sri Lanka, France, Georgia, Guatemala, India, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Peru, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Croatia Slovenia, Sudan, Tajikistan, Syrian Arab Republic, Taiwan Republic of China, Greece, Thailand, Iran, Iraq, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Costa Rica, United State of America and Yemen

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