Retrospective Study for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Jadu Area, Libya

Abstract

The reported 2005 outbreak of human cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in different Libyan districts represents a major public health concern at local and national levels. A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the prevalence levels of CL in the community of Jadu area. Two hundred and twenty seven CL diagnosed cases were reported at Jadu hospital during the period from2007 to 2011. The overall prevalence rate of CL among all inhabitants from three villages were 3.5% (227/6465), however, the prevalence were variable between villages at2.5% (93/3653), 3.5% (42/1200) and 5.7% (92/1612), in Jadu, Jenaween and Shackshuck, respectively. The highest proportion CL infection was found among age group >4-14years at (25%). There was no significant differences between gender for CL cases (p=0.45).The total number of trapped sandflies isolates seems to act as vector for human CL cases in the region were 1144 flies. However, the majority of sandflies number was trapped at August month 399 flies. The more dominant species vectors of CL isolates were Phlebotomus papatasi 49.8% (570/1114), P. bergeroti 16.4% (188/1114), and P.longeroni14.8% (169/1114). This information may be of value to identify the responsible reservoir with the anticipation to the national programme interventions to control disease transmission.