Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in North Khorasan in 2009-2011

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic infectious disease caused by a protozoan parasite from the trypanosomatidae family with a wide spectrum in tropical and sub tropical areas. Cutaneous leishmaniasis(CL) is found endemically in some parts of North Khorasan province. The purpose of this study was to define the status of the disease in this province in the years 2009-2011. The demographic information of 485 patients with CL was collected from March 2009 to March 2011. Demographic information including age, gender, and occupation and also information about the number of lesions were collected through questionnaires given to these patients in health centers of the province. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS 15 software using descriptive chi-square test. Among 485 patients, 60.2% were male and 39.8% were female. Lesions were found on the face (23.4%), hand (40.6%), leg (25.5%), trunk (5.2%), neck and head (5.3%). The patients suffered from one lesion (42.1%), two lesions (21%), and three or more lesions (36.9%). The highest incidence of CL was found in Esfarayen with 198 cases (40.8%) and Jajarm with 160 cases (33%). Considering the number of cases reported and the consequent mental effect of the lesions left by the disease, the implementation of prophylactic and control measures is recommended.