Authors

Discussion

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis places a major burden on the health authorities in Saudi Arabia. Information on the geographical reach and seasonality of CL in Asir province remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological features of CL in southwest Saudi Arabia.

Methods

Retrospective data from CL patients in Asir province was collected between 2011 to 2020. Information analysis was performed using R statistic language (version 4.0.5) and the spatial distribution of cases was mapped using QGIS (version 3.20.0). In 2021, 194 geimsa smear samples were collected from CL patients for molecular identification of Leishmania strains using PCR-RFLP and PCR-HMR.

Results

A 1565 CL cases were recorded from 2011 to 2020. Children under the age of 13 years were most at risk of contracting CL. CL lesions were primarily located on the face and most cases were reported in the winter and autumn seasons. Geographical expansion of CL between governates was noted during past ten years. Based on PCR-RFLP and PCR-HMR, 183 patients showed positive amplification of L. tropica and five patients showed positive amplification of L. major. 

Conclusions

This study describes how the geographical change of CL incidence differs and reveals those people most at of CL infections. Also, it reveals the existence of co-circulation of ACL and ZCL in Asir province. This study highlights the importance of incorporating improved living conditions, school education and public awareness in the development of CL control policies.