Epidemiological Characteristics and Endemicity of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Qom Province, Central Iran

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a common parasitic disease in tropical and subtropical areas. This disease has become endemic in some parts of Qom province in central Iran. This study aims to determine the epidemiological characteristics and endemicity of zoonotic CL in Qom, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, out of 45 villages located in CL endemic areas in central and Kahak districts of Qom province, 8 villages were randomly selected. At the end of each season, the households were visited and their demographic information and history of infection with CL were recorded using standard forms. Results: Out of 4228 people living in 8 disease endemic villages, 1920(45.41%) had skin lesions and a history of infection with CL. We also found 165 new cases with active lesions. The prevalence of zoonotic CL was 71.49 per 1000 persons. Among patients, 13.33% were under 7 years of age and 67.87% aged >15 years old. Therefore, zoonotic CL in the study area had a hypoendemic focus. Conclusion: The focus of zoonotic CL in Qom province is hypoendemic. Therefore, personal protection methods against sandfly bites such as the use of mosquito nets (especially insecticide-treated mosquito nets), the nets for doors and windows in residential areas, and the insect repellent compounds are recommended to control the disease in Qom.

Keywords

• epidemiology
• endemicity
• cutaneous leishmaniasis
• qom
• iran