study of the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in south-east part of Kashan

Abstract

A limited number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases has been reported in Kashan region in the past,however during 1995 there was an unexpected outbreak of the disease in the city.in order to determine the prevalence rate of the infection in inhabitants of this area a total of 4856 individuals in ten villages were examined.the individuals infected previously and new cases were identified by clinical examination and parasitological laboratory tests.the results of this study showed that the incidence rate was 14.6%, and 1.5% of the cases had scar.the rate of infection among individuals under 10 years of age was 27.5%. 45.2% of the previously infected cases had more than one scar,and the maximum number of scars observed was 11. the prevelence rate of active sore among the residents in the region was 13.1%.the highest prevalence rate was seen at the age group of 7 to 13(47.6%).53.2% of the individuals had more than one sore and the most common location of sore was on hands,face and feet,respectively.in this study,no relation between sex and infection was found for the new cases of the disease.the incidence rate in the region was 61.35 per thousand.in another study, 2347 male and female students from elementary,secondary and high schools from the same region were examined.the prevalence rate of active sore for these groups was 15%.the highest rate of sore was found among the 10 to 11 year old students.in this study we also found a significant relation between sex and active sore(p<0.05).the history of cutaneous leishmaniasis and its prevalence rate in this region is a clear indication of its presence in the area,therefore,futher epidemiological investigations of this infectious disease in necessary.