Epidemiology of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Ilam province

Leishmaniasis is caused by a protozoan of the genus Leishmania. The disease is endemic in Ilam as well as other regions of Iran. This study aimed to evaluate different aspects of the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in Ilam.

This study was cross-sectional and retrospective. Epidemiological data of all patients, referred to the health care centers of Ilam province from 24 March 2010 to 20 February 2011 with the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis, were collected. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software.

A total of 891 Patients, (571 male) were referred with documented Leishmaniasis during the 1 year study period. A total of 508 patient resided in the city and 372 came from rural areas. Dehloran with 401 patients and Mehran with 269 infected individuals had the highest rate of infection. Malekshahi city with 14 patients and Shirvanchardavol with 15 cases had the lowest infection rate. The relationship between urban location, sex and the prevalence of infection was significant (P-value <0.05).

It seems that Ilam province has changed from an endemic region to a hyperendemic area. Dehloran and Mehran cities are areas with highest risk of infection and control measures against vector mosquitoes, rodents, reservoirs and treatment of infected individuals is essential.