Prevalence of Leishmaniasis in Patients Visiting Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar

Abstract

Abstract

Introduction Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. This genus comprises 32 unicellular species infecting various vertebrate hosts, transmitted via sand-fly bites from Phlebotomus and Lutzomyia. Leishmaniasis affects the skin, mucous membranes, and internal organs, manifesting as cutaneous, mucocutaneous, or visceral leishmaniasis. Approximately 350 million people across 98 countries are at risk, with an annual global prevalence of 0.2-0.4 million cases of visceral leishmaniasis and 0.7-1.2 million cases of cutaneous and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. In Pakistan, both anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) and zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) are reported, with significant cases in urban centers and rural areas.

Methodology This study aimed to obtain baseline data for leishmaniasis in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan, conducted at Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Data from 684 patients (475 males and 208 females) over one year were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. The chi-square test was applied to assess the association between infection rates and demographic variables.

Result Results indicated the highest infection rate (46.7%) in the age group 1-15 years, followed by 16-30 years (19.8%), 31-45 years (9.4%), 46-60 years (6.1%), and above 60 years (3.3%). Gender-wise, males had a higher prevalence rate (69.3%) compared to females (30.7%). Positive cases were more prevalent in males (83.9%) than females (84.8%), although the association between infection and gender was statistically non-significant (p = 0.784).

Discussion The discussion highlighted that younger individuals have a higher infection rate due to a less developed immune system. Cultural practices in the region, such as males sleeping outside without adequate protection, contribute to higher infection rates in males. Diagnostic techniques for cutaneous leishmaniasis include slit skin smears and skin biopsies, with slit skin smears offering a more convenient yet less accurate alternative. The findings are consistent with previous studies, emphasizing the need for confirmatory skin biopsies in cases of negative slit skin smears but with high clinical suspicion.