Epidemiological aspects and therapeutic outcomes of cutaneous leishmaniasis patients in Central Iran

• Main Authors: Abedin Saghafipour, Jalil Nejati, Alireza Zahraei-Ramazani, Hassan Vatandoost, Ehssan Mozaffari, Fatemeh Rezaei
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Qom University of Medical Sciences 2018-03-01
• Series: Archives of Hygiene Sciences
• Subjects: Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Epidemiology; Treatment; Qom; Iran
• Online Access: http://jhygiene.muq.ac.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-87-3&slc_lang=en&sid=1

Background & Aims of the Study: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the re-emerging diseases in many areas of the Eastern Mediterranean region such as Iran. This study was conducted in order to detect the epidemiological aspects and therapeutic outcomes of CL patients in Kahakcounty, Qom province of Iran. Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional study, clinical diagnosis of the disease was performed, using microscopic observation of the leishmania genus parasite in the ulcer site during 2016. Patients' data of therapeutic outcomes was recorded in epidemiological form of CL. Statistical analysis was done, using SPSS Ver. 16. Chi square and Fisher’s exact test were utilized for the assessment of the hypothesis. Results: From 45 patients, 24 cases (53.3%) were men and 21 (46.7%) were women. Mean age of patients was 29.5 ±19.44. More than 28 % of samples were under 15 years old. The most common locations of ulcer in patient’s bodies were hands and feet (78.7%). 20.6% of samples had 3 ulcers and more. The highest prevalence of CL was happened in autumn. All of treated patients fully recovered without delays in treatment, complication or treatment failure. Conclusions: CL disease has an endemic cycle in villages of Kahak County of Qom province and recently, prevalence of disease has been developing in this region, therefore, we proposed provincial health center staffs must design and implement suitable prevention programs based on health ministry guidelines in order to control of disease. Also, it seems Glucantime is the best and available drug for treating of this disease.