Typical features of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Ilam province, Iran

Abstract

Since Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a problematic parasitic infection in the west of Iran, this study was carried out to clarify the epidemiological aspects of Cl. Our database includes all Cl cases with detailed information during 2014-2018 in Ilam province, west of Iran. Patients referred to health and clinical centers in our study areas then health providers and laboratory technicians took smears to detect leishmania parasites under light microscope. SPSS24 software used for analyzing data by the Chi square test. Mehran and Dehloran districts were alone accounted for 50% of all reported cases. C 36 age group was dominant cases also housekeepers were at the top of categories in case of occupation. Hand and leg entangled with this infection more than other organs. Moreover, most cases observed in the winter season, and lesions were 1-3 cm in size. Apart from decreasing Cl cases in our study location compared to 2014, building debris around the urban area should be cleaned up concerning standards of hygiene in each phase to keep rodents away. Additionally, citizens at the land border of Iran-Iraq should protect themselves from sand fly biting at least by insect repellent at peak travel times.

High-risk spatiotemporal patterns of cutaneous leishmaniasis: a nationwide study in Iran from 2011 to 2020

“…Moreover, 20,000 Iraqis have relocated to Iran [ 80 ]. Earlier investigations highlighted a significant CL outbreak in immigrant habitats [ 72 , 74 , 75 ], and our data indicate that CL has spread across the majority of Iranian counties.…”

“…Uncontrolled urbanization and development, urban migration, construction of new homes near historic structures, and widespread deforestation can also increase the risk of infection. These issues are causing severe health consequences and geographically heterogeneous CL distribution in Iran [ 24 , 64 , 65 , 72 – 75 ].…”

“…The large climate heterogeneity in areas like Khuzestan and Khorasan provinces might be the primary cause of the shift in CL epidemiology and transmission [ 67 ]. Urbanization, drought, and climate conditions also play a significant role in the spread of CL in high-risk regions such as Fars, Ilam, Kerman, Isfahan, and Yazd [ 24 , 70 , 72 , 73 , 75 – 79 ]. Urbanization damages the ecosystem of rodents and relocates them to residential areas.…”

“…The accumulation of construction debris in urban areas attracts rodents as Phlebotomus reservoirs. As unintentional hosts of CL, stray canines living near residential areas and sand flies spread the disease [ 72 ]. In the rural areas, the majority of individuals are working and spending more time on farms and in animal husbandry, so they are susceptible to mosquito bites.…”

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran: A review of epidemiological aspects, with emphasis on molecular findings

“…Ilam province is adjacent to Khuzestan province and is a major endemic area [ 91 ]. Ilam, Dehloran, and Mehran cities which have a common border with Iraq have a remarkably susceptible condition concerning CL because many visitors move between Iran and Iraq through the Mehran border [ 91 , 133 ]. Hamedan province is another region affected by CL with an unsteady incidence rate of 1.5 per 100,000 in 2008 which increased to 12.6 per 100,000 in 2015, since the local population (about 87.1%) frequently travelled to endemic areas of CL, mainly including Ilam, Khuzestan, and Isfahan provinces.…”