Cutaneous Leishmainasis: A Ten-Year Study of the Epidemiology and Clinical Features in Salfit District (2001-2010)

Aim: This study was conducted in order to provide information and evaluate the epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis, incidence, geographical distribution and clinical spectrum of the disease for the period 2001- 2010 in Salfit district (Northwestern West Bank).
Study Design: A retrospective study.
Methods: Fifty patients with positive cutaneous leishmaniasis (23 males and 27 females) in Salfit district were recorded in Salfit Primary Health Care Center from 2001 to 2010.
Results: The results show that the incidence of disease increased from 0.2 in 2001to 2.5 per 10000 person in 2010 and the disease distributed in 13 localities in Salfit district with more prevalence in Der ballut locality (24%). According to the history of CL medical reports which consist of time of the emersion of signs, the time of seeking of medical care taking in to consideration the incubation period for the leishmania parasite in cases, the results show that the frequency of main infection period took place during March. The disease affects both males and females in different age groups with more prevalence of cases occurred in patients ages 6-21 years (36.0%). The lesions were commonly single and nodules (60.5%), (54%) respectively and more prevalence in upper limbs (48%) especially in females (30.2%) and the duration of treatment of CL infection with sodium stibugluconate (pentostam) took mainly form 1-20 days.
Limitations of Study: This was a retrospective study to evaluate the epidemiology of 50 positive CL cases in Salfit district recorded at Salfit Primary Health Care center (SPHC) for the period 2001 to 2010 and The data recorded at (SPHC) did not include the Suspected CL cases or species of Leishmaina parasite and possible species of vector and reservoir.
Conclusion: The results show that CL is increasing in number year by year and spread over the localities in salfit district and become endemic area, so more studies are needed to determine the vectors and reservoirs as well as species of leishmania to help the decision makers put suitable strategies to control the disease.