Epidemiological Aspects and Outcomes of Treatment in Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Central Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the re-emergingdiseases in many areas of the Eastern Mediterranean region such as Iran. This study wasconducted in order to detect the epidemiological aspects and therapeutic outcomes of CL patientsin Kahakcounty, Qom province of Iran.Materials & Methods: In this cross sectional study, clinical diagnosis of the disease wasperformed, using microscopic observation of the leishmania genus parasite in the ulcer siteduring 2016. Patients data of therapeutic outcomes was recorded in epidemiological form of CL.Statistical analysis was done, using SPSS Ver. 16. Chi square and Fisher’s exact test wereutilized for the assessment of the hypothesis.Results: From 45 patients, 24 cases (53.3%) were men and 21 (46.7%) were women. Mean ageof patients was 29.5 ±19.44. More than 28 % of samples were under 15 years old. The mostcommon locations of ulcer in patient’s bodies were hands and feet (78.7%). 20.6% of sampleshad 3 ulcers and more. The highest prevalence of CL was happened in autumn. All of treatedpatients fully recovered without delays in treatment, complication or treatment failure.Conclusions: CL disease has an endemic cycle in villages of Kahak County of Qom provinceand recently, prevalence of disease has been developing in this region, therefore, we proposedprovincial health center staffs must design and implement suitable prevention programs based onhealth ministry guidelines in order to control of disease. Also, it seems Glucantime is the bestand available drug for treating of this disease.