Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Suspected Patients Referred to the Health Centers of Abarkouh, Ardakan, Bafgh and Khatam, Yazd Province, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aims: Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is a significant health problem in many parts of Iran. Management of the disease and its treatment is a global dilemma. In this study, the status and the proportions of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis induced by Leishmania major and tropica among suspected patients referred to the Health Centers of Abarkouh, Ardakan, Bafgh, and Khatam cities, Yazd Province, Iran were investigated. Materials and Methods: The lesion was diagnosed using direct smear microscopy and conventional polymerase chain reaction. Results: A total of 90 samples were prepared of which 64 (71.1%)  were male and 26 (27.9%) were female. Also, 30 (33.3%) samples came  from Ardakan, 29 (32.2%) samples  from Bafgh, 21 (23.3%) samples from Abarkouh, and 10 (11.1%) samples  from Khatam city. Ninety samples with 112 lesions were recruited and parasitologically examined. The results showed that, in macroscopic examination, 90 of the patients had 59 lesions: patients with lesion(s) induced by Leishmania major = 52 (M=35, 67.3%, F=17, 32.7%), lesion(s) induced by Leishmania tropica =4 (M=2, 50.0%, F=2, 50.0%), and lesion(s) induced by false positive =33 (36.4%). Basides, in microscopic method, 90 of the patients had 59 lesions: patients with lesion(s) induced by Leishmania major =44 (M=29, 65.9%, F=15, 34.09%), lesion(s) induced by Leishmania tropica =9 (M=8, 88.8%, F=1, 11.2%), and lesion(s) induced by false positive =37 (M=28, 75.7%, F=9, 24.3%).  Conclusion: Although travel history to an endemic area is important for diagnosis, parasitological confirmation is necessary to initiate treatment.