a review of impact of bam earthquake on cutaneous leishmaniasis and status: epidemic of old foci, emergence of new foci and changes in features of the disease

background: global findings indicate that incidence rate of cutaneous leishmaniasis (cl) has significantly in­creased during the past decade, as documented in many countries. this review was aimed to evaluate the trend of cl cases in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics during a decade after the earthquake (2003–2012) com­pared to the corresponding period before the earthquake in bam (1993–2003). methods: direct smear preparations along with different intrinsic methods were used for detection and identification of the causative agents. results: overall, 20999 cases of cl have occurred during the last 20 years (1993–2012), 6731 cases before and 14268 cases after the earthquake (p< 0.001). conclusions: following a major earthquake, several risk factors could activate epidemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis in old foci and induce emerging foci in new areas.