Investigating the Impact of Climatic and Environmental Factors on the Epidemiology of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Iran: A Review Study

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is a significant endemic diseases in Iran, leading to skin lesions, lifelong scars, and social stigma. This study aims to investigate the influence of climatic and ecological factors on the prevalence of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Iran.

This study employed a narrative review approach. A comprehensive search was conducted using key terms such as 'skin Leishmaniasis', 'cutaneous Leishmaniasis', 'climatic factors,' and 'environmental factors' in both national and international databases. All relevant research was included without limitations on location, time, or research methodology.

The initial search yielded 823625 articles. After refining the search keywords and conducting initial screening, 184 studies remained following the removal of duplicate articles. Subsequent screening for eligibility further narrowed down the selection to 30. The inclusion of 6 master theses brought the final number of studies for review to 36. A review of the studies showed a significant association between certain climatic factors, including temperature, humidity, hours of sunshine, and rainfall, and the incidence of cutaneous Leishmaniasis, across various geographical regions in the country. The relationship between factors such as vegetation, wind, and the number of disease cases had different results in different parts of the country.

The results of the present study show the effect of climatic and environmental factors on the rate of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the country. Considering that the effect of these factors is not the same in all parts of the country, it is necessary to implement effective preventive measures to reduce the disease burden according to the needs of each geographical area.