Leishmaniasis is a vector borne tropical and
subtropical diseases caused by protozoa and transmitted
by Phlebotomus Lutzomyia sandfly vectors-human. The
severity of manifestation depends on the species involved
and how an immune response to infection. Iraq is one of
the most significant endemic regions, in which cutaneous
leishmaniasis is seen in 2 forms: zoonotic and
anthroponotic caused by leishmania major and leishmania
tropica.
Objectives: To assess the epidemiological features of this
disease in Qaryat al Hamidat in Baghdad, 2020
Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was
conducted (included cases of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis) in
Qaryat al Hamidat in Al-Mada'in District (located in Iraq
north-east of Baghdad) in 2020; by using a surveillance
database for the disease from the Iraqi Communicable
Diseases and Control Center; Al Rusafa-Baghdad health
directorate. Chi square test (fisher’s exact test) was done.
P < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: A total of 16 patients were included in this study;
87.5% of them were children (<18 years) and 12.5% were
adults (≥18 years). Out of the total, there were 9 males and
7 females; 2 of the total had a history of traveling, and 12
had another family member infected with cutaneous
leishmaniasis. According to the lesion Site, 31.3% in the
face, 18.8% in the scalp, and 50% in the limbs (upper &/or
lower). 43.8% of lesions were nodules, and 56.3% were
ulcer type. 62.5% of patients had one lesion while 37.5%
had two lesions.
Conclusions: In this study, we concluded that high
prevalence of CL was among children (<18 years). In
addition, 100% of cases were lived in a region without
Mosquito nets/ insecticide
Keywords : Cutaneous Leishmaniasis, Children, Rural Area, Lesions, Epidemiological Survey