First survey of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Borujerd county, western Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Lorestan province in the Islamic Republic of Iran has not previously been known as a focus for cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL). Clinical and epidemiological studies were carried out on patients diagnosed with active CL at the central laboratory in Borujerd city during 1998-2010. A total of 137 patients with corroborated CL were studied (mean estimated annual incidence 4.36 per 100 000 inhabitants). The male:female ratio was > 11:1. Patients ranged in age from 8-63 years but > 70% were aged 21-40 years and only 1 was ≤ 10 years. The rate of CL was highest in rural residents (56.9%) and among those working as labourers (38.0%) and drivers (32.8%). The rate of active lesions on the upper limbs (69.3%) was significantly higher than other locations, and more cases were dry sores (57.7%) than wet sores (42.3%). The majority of patients (61.3%) had a single active lesion (mean 1.8 ulcers per patient). This is the first report of CL in the area.