Cutaneous leishmaniasis in the patients refered to medical laboratories in Mashhad, Iran

This study was conducted over four seasons from 2011 to 2012 on people refering to medical laboratories for diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis. To confirm the disease, a smear was prepared from of patients’ ulcer, then stained by Giemsa and examined by light microscope. From a total of 100 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, 58 percent were women and 42 percent were men. The highest rate of the disease was observed in the age group of 20-29 years (34%) and in the age group of 0-9 years (24%). According to confirmation of laboratory diagnosis,the highest rate ofthe disease (40%)was observed in patients in falland the lowest rate (15%) was seen in spring. The results showed that 18% of patients had contact with dogs and rodents at home or office. A total of 217 ulcers were counted in 100 patients withthe highest rate ofulcers observed in hands and face and the lowestrate seen in legs. In this study, 76% of patients had dry ulcers and the rest had wet ulcers. The results of the study indicate a relatively high prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Mashhad. Given the results, health authorities need to pay attentiontocontrol and prevent the disease.Keywords: Cutaneous, Leishmania, mashhad