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Incidence of cutaneous Leishmaniasis in humans during the COVID-19 pandemic in Baluchistan Province, Pakistan.

Authors :
Bukhari SA
Shafqat L
Bilal K
Hussain A
Gul S
Naz S
Shah NA
Dervišević E
Dervišević L
Ajanović Z
Manahil H
Aamir Ghafoor Chaudhary M
Wang Y
Ahmed H
Cao J
Source :
Journal of infection in developing countries [J Infect Dev Ctries] 2024 Jun 30; Vol. 18 (6), pp. 862-869. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 30.
Publication Year :
2024

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is one of the neglected tropical diseases that affects impoverished communities throughout the world. In Pakistan CL is an endemic disease.<br />Aims and Objectives: This study aimed to determine the incidence of CL infection in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan from January 2020 to March 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic.<br />Methodology: A total of 1047 clinically suspected cases of CL from Bolan Medical College Hospital, Quetta, were followed up in the study. The data regarding the epidemiological characterstics, pathological information, and treatment of patients was collected.<br />Results: Out of 1047 probable cases of CL, 594 (56.73%) cases were found to be positive for CL. Females had the highest infection rate, with the majority of reported cases being in the 0-9-year age group. Most CL cases were reported in April in the year 2020, with a few cases reported in June. But in the year 2021, the highest number of cases were reported in December. The number of overall cases has gradually increased in the year 2022, most likely because of the reduction in COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The p value for the positive as compared to suspected cases in the years 2020, 2021, and 2022 was calculated as 0.8925, 0.8763, and 0.8535 respectively.<br />Conclusions: Further epidemiological studies and health education campaigns are recommended to increase public awareness. It is strongly advised that local, provincial, and national health authorities establish and maintain effective leishmaniasis surveillance systems to promptly identify disease outbreaks and implement timely control measures.<br />Competing Interests: No Conflict of Interest is declared<br /> (Copyright (c) 2024 Syeda Atiya Bukhari, Lamia Shafqat, Khawar Bilal, Ashiq Hussain, Shaista Gul, Shumaila Naz, Naseer Ali Shah, Emina Dervišević, Lejla Dervišević, Zurifa Ajanović, Hajra Manahil, Muhammad Aamir Ghafoor Chaudhary, Ying Wang, Haroon Ahmed, Jianping Cao.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1972-2680
Volume :
18
Issue :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of infection in developing countries
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
38990995
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3855/jidc.17781