An outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis among a displaced population in North Sudan: Review of cases

Cutaneous leishmaniasis situation analysis in the Islamic Republic of Iran in preparation for an elimination plan

Iran has invariably been under the growing public health threat of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), a significant barrier to local development that hinders the prevention and control efforts toward eliminating the disease. So far, no comprehensive and in-depth epidemiological analysis of the CL situation has been carried out nationwide. This study aimed to employ advanced statistical models to analyze the data collected through the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention of Communicable Diseases during 1989-2020. However, we emphasized the current trends, 2013-2020, to study temporal and spatial CL patterns. In the country, the epidemiology of CL is incredibly intricate due to various factors. This fact indicates that the basic infrastructure, the preceding supports, and the implementation plan related to preventive and therapeutic measures need crucial support. The leishmaniasis situation analysis is consistent with desperate requirements for efficient information on the control program in the area. This review provides evidence of temporally regressive and spatially expanding incidence of CL with characteristic geographical patterns and disease hotspots, signifying an urgent need for comprehensive control strategies. This information could be a suitable model and practical experience in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, where over 80% of CL is reported.

Leishmaniasis in Cameroon and neighboring countries: An overview of current status and control challenges

Leishmaniasis causes the ninth largest disease burden among infectious diseases but remains a very neglected tropical disease. Although the disease is endemic in Cameroon and some neighboring countries, data on its epidemiology are very scanty. The present review summarizes the available information on leishmaniasis in the central region of Africa. According to available records, Cameroon, Chad and Nigeria have been identified as endemic foci of both cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL). In addition, the phlebotomine vectors of leishmaniasis have been reported in these three countries and also in Congo and the Central African Republic. Although Gabon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea and Congo are all situated next to the above leishmaniasis-endemic countries and are characterized by similar landscapes and vegetation, they lack published reports of autochthonous cases of leishmaniasis. Considering that many cases of the disease might remain unreported, it might not be an overstatement to recommend that research should be carried out in Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Congo to identify cases of leishmaniasis (CL and/or VL), the parasite and vector species, and the mammalian reservoir host. This review updates data on leishmaniasis and its insect vector in the geographical region of Central Africa. Such updates are basic requirement for the development of successful control programmes in individual countries and the whole region. In order to address the shortcomings identified in the present review, the authors recommend training of more scientists in leishmaniasis epidemiology in the region that should be accompanied by necessary funding. This training must be multidisciplinary and include development of laboratory and field skills for studies of the parasite, the vector, the reservoir, the vegetation and the soil in potential endemic foci. In addition, prospective studies involving geographers and other experts should develop a disease risk map of the Central Africa region.