Some epidemiological feature of human visceral leishmaniasis in North Khorasan Province during 2010-2018

Abstract

Background & Aims: Visceral leishmaniasis, a potentially fatal disease caused by Leishmania infantum, is prevalent in the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. In Iran, it is endemic in the Northwest, Southwest, Northeast, Southeast, and central regions, with sporadic occurrences elsewhere. This study aimed to ascertain the period prevalence, epidemiological characteristics, and the most common clinical symptoms and laboratory signs of visceral leishmaniasis in North Khorasan Province. Materials & Methods: Over a nine-year period from 2010 to 2018, clinical records of visceral leishmaniasis cases were scrutinized to gather demographic and clinical data. Diagnosis was confirmed paraclinically through positive smears for Leishman bodies in bone marrow aspirates. Each patient completed a questionnaire. Results: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 24 diagnosed patients. Reported case numbers varied annually, with prevalence ranging from 0.0 to 1.1 per 100,000, peaking in 2017 and reaching its nadir in 2011. The majority of patients were hailed from rural areas (83.3%), with age distribution spanning from 8 months to 62 years. Most patients (95.8%) were under 10 years old, and 66.7% were male. Predominant clinical symptoms and laboratory signs included fever (91.7%), splenomegaly (79.2%), anemia (83.3%), thrombocytopenia (58.3%), and leukopenia (54.2%). Conclusion: The incidence of visceral leishmaniasis in North Khorasan Province surpasses the national average by threefold, indicating its significance as an endemic hotspot for the disease in Iran.

Keywords

• iran
• north khorasan
• pediatric infection
• vector-borne diseases
• visceral leishmaniasis
• zoonotic diseases