PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases (May 2021)

Detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana.

  • Richard Akuffo,
  • Carmen Sanchez,
  • Carmen Chicharro,
  • Eugenia Carrillo,
  • Naiki Attram,
  • Mba-Tihssommah Mosore,
  • Clara Yeboah,
  • Nana Konama Kotey,
  • Daniel Boakye,
  • Jose-Antonio Ruiz-Postigo,
  • Javier Moreno,
  • Michael Wilson,
  • Bismark Sarfo,
  • Francis Anto

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0009416
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 15, no. 5
p. e0009416

Abstract

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BackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common type of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. In Ghana, some studies in the Volta region have detected Leishmania parasites among persons with skin ulcers.Methodology/principal findingsUsing a cross-sectional study design, the prevalence of CL in three communities of the Oti Region of Ghana was investigated. Demographic and epidemiological data were obtained by a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. A total of 426 (12.4%) out of 3,440 participants screened had at least one skin ulcer. Of 595 skin ulcers sampled and tested by PCR for Leishmania infection, 150 (25.2%) ulcers from 136 individuals tested positive, accounting for an overall CL prevalence of 31.9% among persons with skin ulcers. Individual community CL prevalence of 23.2%, 29.8%, and 36.8% was observed in Ashiabre, Keri, and Sibi Hilltop respectively among persons with skin ulcers.Conclusions/significanceConfirmation of CL in the study area suggests an active cycle of transmission of Leishmania infection. The observation of skin ulcers which tested negative to Leishmania infection suggests a need to test for additional causes of skin ulcers such as Treponema pallidum pertenue and Mycobacterium ulcerans in the study area.