Epidemiological and clinical profiles of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in Amhara National Regional State, Northwest Ethiopia: a multicenter retrospective study.

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is caused by Leishmania parasites. Ethiopia is one of the top ten countries with a high CL load, and Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) is one of the CL hotspot areas in the country. This study examined cutaneous leishmaniasis's epidemiology and clinical profiles in the ANRS region. It was conducted from April to October 2023 across eight Leishmaniasis Treatment Centres (LTCs). A data review was done from patients presenting to these centers between June 2018 and July 2023. Chi-square test and logistic regression were performed using SPSS-23. A total of 1729 patients with CL were recorded, resulting in an overall burden of 8.6 cases per 10,000 outpatients. Patients were from 112 districts, and most of them (71.1%) presented with localized cutaneous leishmaniasis (LCL). Approximately 12% of patients lived with the disease for over a year without treatment, while 13.2% of patients were multiple-time comers. Cutaneous leishmaniasis continues to be a significant public health issue in the ANRS region. Approximately onethird of CL patients exhibit the mucocutaneous leishmaniasis (MCL) clinical form. There has been a notable delay among CL patients in seeking diagnosis and treatment. It is essential to conduct large-scale community-based studies and studies focused on both traditional and modern treatment centers to accurately estimate the prevalence of CL in the region. Follow-up and molecular studies are crucial for enhancing our understanding of the clinical features of the disease. Furthermore, raising community awareness about CL prevention and control can help patients obtain early diagnosis and treatment.