Progressive increasing of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kashan district, central of Iran

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in important endemic focus of Kashan district, central of Iran during 2007-2008. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study and 5 098 individuals were selected from thirteen rural and urban districts of Kashan city. Information of positive cases including age, sex, job, number and sites of ulcers or scars, date and place of the ulcer, and results of clinical examination and laboratory tests were recorded. Diagnoses of affected cases were based on clinical examination and microscopic observation of the ulcer parasite. The results were analyzed with statistical Chi-square test. ResultsAn infection prevalence rate of 6.4% was obtained among 5 098 individuals. Regarding to 326 affected cases, 103 (2.0%) and 223 (4.4%) persons were observed with active lesion and scars, respectively. The highest frequency of active ulcer rate (23.3%) was associated with age group of 20-29 years old, while the lowest rate was related to age group of 0-9 years old with 7.8% infection. About 49.5% of the infected cases were under 30 years old. This study showed 64.1% of cases with one and the rest of them with two or more ulcers. Hands (46.6%) were the most affected parts of body. ConclusionsThere is a progressive increasing of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kashan district and this is a warning to local health workers to provide prevention as well as control program of the disease.