Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Diyala Province from Eastern Part of Iraq during the Period of 2011 to 2021

Entisar Mahdi  Hamad; Fatemeh  Ghaffarifar; Abdolhossein  Dalimi

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v20i3.19615

Entisar Mahdi Hamad Department of Medical Laboratories Techniques, Baqubah Technical Institute, Middle Technical University, Diyala, Iraq
Fatemeh Ghaffarifar Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
Abdolhossein Dalimi Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i3.19615

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmania-sis; Prevalence; Parasitology; Iraq

Abstract

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease endemic in Iraq. However, epidemiological data from Diyala Province are limited. Diyala province is located in eastern of Iraq, on the border with Iran, and adjacent to Kermanshah Province, Iran. We investigated the prevalence and distribution of CL in Diyala Province from 2011-2021.

Methods: Anonymous patient records on 25,474 confirmed CL cases in Diyala during 2011-2021 were analyzed to determine demographic, temporal, and geographic distributions.

Results: Overall, 52% of cases occurred in females and 48% in males. The 5-14 yr age group had the highest burden (33%) while infants <1 year had the lowest (5%). Annual cases peaked at 4,425 in 2015 but declined to 2,158 by 2021. Among districts, Khanaqeen had the most cases (28%) while Mansouriyah had the least (10%). Monthly cases peaked in winter (November-February) and were lowest in summer (June-August).

Conclusion: A high burden of CL was observed in Diyala during 2011-2021, with the highest risk among children. Significant geographic and seasonal variations were also evident. These findings can inform prevention and control strategies. The prevalence in this province in 2019 was 126 per 100000.