Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an infectious disease transmitted by female sandflies that are infected with protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. This vector-borne illness manifests in humans through the formation of one or multiple skin lesions, which may present as ulcers, nodules, or papules. A significant complication of CL is the occurrence of secondary bacterial infections, which can exacerbate tissue damage and lead to the formation of scars. These bacterial infections are particularly prevalent in regions with inadequate sanitation and hygiene practices. The presence of secondary bacterial infections can impede the healing process of CL lesions and heighten the likelihood of scarring. The main objective of the present investigation was to examine the frequency of bacterial infections in patients with cutaneous lesions who were admitted to the Dermatology Clinic of the National Center for Disease Control for the treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the NCDC Dermatology Clinic. and included 81 patients with confirmed CL. Samples were collected from all patients and analyzed using standard bacteriological and parasitological methods. Out of the 81 patients, leishmania was detected in all cases. Bacteriological experiments revealed that 58 cases (71.06%) were also infected with bacterial infections. The most common bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus (39.8%), Pseudomonas auroginosa (22.6%), and Staphylococcus epidermidis (8.6%). These findings highlight the ongoing issue of bacterial infections in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis and emphasize the importance of considering them during treatment