Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of 7172 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa, between 2001 and 2008.

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa is still a public health problem. In this study, we report the epidemiological, clinical, and demographic properties from Sanliurfa.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

7172 patients followed up in the Sanliurfa Leishmaniasis Treatment Center between January 2001 and December 2008.

RESULTS

The rates of male and female patients were 46% and 54% of the 7172 cases, respectively. The incidence of ACL showed a typical trend of an increase between November and May and a decrease in the summer. The face and extremities were the most involved parts of the body. Clinical appearance and Giemsa smear were most used diagnostic tools and intralesional pentavalent antimony compounds were the first choice of treatment.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Sanliurfa is still low but not zero.