Case Notification of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis at Different  Elevations in the North-Central Ethiopia from 2018 To 2022

Bizuayehu  Gashaw; Endalew  Yizengaw; Endalkachew  Nibret; Addisu  Workineh; Feleke  Tilahun

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16395

Bizuayehu Gashaw Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Endalew Yizengaw Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Endalkachew Nibret Department of Biology, College of Science, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Addisu Workineh Amhara National Regional State Health Bureau, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
Feleke Tilahun Boru Meda Hospital, Dessie, Ethiopia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v19i3.16395

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Leishmania aethiopica; Case notification; Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: We aimed to analyze a four-year trend of Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) to determine risk levels and hotspots in North-central Ethiopia.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Boru Meda Hospital (BMH) from March to April 2023, focusing on CL patients treated at the leishmaniasis treatment center (LTC). Data collected included age, gender, CL type, and other clinical factors. Each patient's origin was traced and geographically mapped by elevation to assess CL risk levels.

Results: There were a total of 573 CL patients reported from 46 districts, with a higher number of male patients (n=356) compared to female patients (n=217) (P <0.001). The median age of the patients was 21 years [15-30], with the highest number of CL cases observed among individuals aged 16 to 30 years. The majority of cases (69%) presented with localized CL (LCL). About 39% of patients had a previous treatment history for CL. A significant clustering of CL cases was observed at elevation of 2301-3300 meters above sea level (χ2:17.5; P <0.001), with the highest incidence (case notification) of 14.2/100,000 population.

Conclusion: Foci of CL, were burdened at higher elevations and no clinical variation were observed between elevation differences. The majority of cases were concentrated in an area covering approximately 21.4% of the total land mass. CL continues to be a significant issue in North-central Ethiopia and has the potential to spread to new areas.