Abstract
Background and aims: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been considered one of the most common serious parasitic diseases. Some cities in Iran are known as the center of this important parasitic disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines CL as an infectious parasitic disease in the tropics, which can be challenging. The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiological situation of CL (the identification of parasite, vector, and reservoir) in Ardestan.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was performed in 2015-2016. Overall, 121 patients with CL who referred to Ardestan Dermatology and Leishmaniasis Center were sampled, and the Leishmania species were determined in the samples using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, following the amplification of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) region in the parasite genome. Finally, the vector and reservoir species were detected by zoology experts according to identification keys.
Results: The incidence of the disease had the highest (57.8%) and lowest (4.1%) levels in summer and spring, respectively. The disease was prevalent in both women and men but was more common in men (51.2%). The majority of patients (27.3%) were in the age group of 21-30 years, and most of the wounds (71.1%) were nodules. More than one wound on the body was observed in 54.5% of patients, and the disease was prevalent in 13.2% of patients and their family members. Occupationally, students showed the highest disease frequency (32%). The response to treatment with meglumine antimoniate (glucantime) was more effective than the other treatments. The species of the Leishmania vector in the Ardestan region was identified as Phlebotomus papatasi, and the species of the reservoirs in this region were Rhombomys opimus and Meriones libycus.
Conclusion: Further research is needed to determine the carriers and reservoirs of the disease in other regions in order to reach a constructive decision for appropriate strategies to control the disease.