Incidence Trend of Rural Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Gonbad-e- Qabus City, (Golestan, Iran) during 2009-2012

Background and

Recently, incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been increased. The present study aimed to investigate the incidence trend of CL in Gonbad-e-Qabus, (Golestan, Iran).

This descriptive study was carried out for patients referring to health center of Gonbad-e-Qabus, during 2009 to 2012. Early diagnosis of CL was carried out by direct smear and staining with Giemsa. In addition, to detect species of Leishmania spp specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was performed.

During 2009 to 2012, 1398 samples were tested and the results of direct smears in 946 subjects (67.6%) were positive. Among them, 576 cases (60.8%) were male and 370 (39.2%) were female. The majority (39.2%) of the positive cases belonged to 2009. (P < 0.0001). The highest frequency was in the age group under 5 years (35.9%) and lowest in age groups > 40 (0.7%). Furthermore, Leishmania spp was isolated from all the patients with Leishmania major by specific PCR.

Our results represented high incidence of the CL among less than 5 year-old-subjects which indicated high endemicity in the area. Although, based on interventions of Gonbad’s Health Center, new cases of CL were decreased throughout 2012.