بررسی اپیدمیولوژیک لیشمانیوز پوستی با عامل لیشمانیا تروپیکا در یک کانون جدید ازاستان خراسان رضوی

Background and purpose: Recently, a high rate of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has been reported in Torbat-e-Jam a town in Khorasan Razavi province, Iran. The aim of the present study was to investigate the epidemiological aspects of CL in this district. Materials and methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in patients referring to health centers of Torbat-e-Jam, during 2009-2011. Diagnosis of CL was made by direct smear and staining was done through Giemsa. Also, specific PCR method was performed for detection of the species of Leishmania spp. Results: Totally 855 individuals were investigated of whom 504 (58.9%) were found positive through direct smears. Among the subjects 291 (57.7%) were male and 213 (42.3%) were female. The majority (40.5%) of the positive cases were observed in 2011. The most highly infected cases were aged 5-10 years (22.3%) and the least rate was seen amongst those aged >40 years of age (2.6%). Also, Leishmania spp isolated from patients were Leishmania tropica by species specific PCR. Conclusion: According to the increasing trend of CL, it is believed that a new endemic focus of Anthroponotic CL (ACL) is gradually developing in Torbat-e-Jam. Humans are the main reservoir of ACL, therefore, early diagnosis and treatment among them are of great importance.