Cross Sectional Study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Dermatology Hospital in Tripoli Libya from 2014 to 2015

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is a disease caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Leishmania and is responsible for significant mortal
ity and morbidity in tropical and subtropical countries. Unfortunately, there is currently no vaccine available to protect people
against infection, therefore the main methods used to control it is vector control, drug treatment of clinical cases or control of
reservoir hosts.
The present study aims to determine the frequency of cutaneous leishmaniasis causes, frequency of leishmaniasis between male
and female, the distribution of leishmaniasis causes in different area in west Libya among the causes that attended Bear Asta
Melid Hospital in Tripoli, Libya.
This study is designed to collect data from files of leishmaniasis patients followed in Dermatology Hospital Bear Asta Melid,
Tripoli.
Place and Duration of Study: Dermatology Hospital Bear Asta Melid, Tripoli, period from January 2014 to December 2015
The total of 258 samples were obtained from patient files during the period from the January 2014 to December 2015. The ques
tionnaire was prepared and modified from WHO leishmaniasis questionnaire in leishmaniasis center.
The results indicated that, the frequency of infection was higher in 2015 than in 2014, increased by rate 1.5. The high frequency
of infection was in autumn than other seasons, which in October was higher infection rate. The high infection frequency in the
younger age group between 0-25 years. The most common infection area was Trahouna, Al kamous, Kabow and Al heria.
There was poor social awareness of the disease and of the availability of treatment in this sampled population. Most of the com
munity considered sand fly biting as a nuisance of moderate intensity and dusk as the peak biting time.
We recommend that more effective surveillance, case reporting, and control measures be implemented in high-risk areas