Distribution and epidemiological features of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Asir province, Saudi Arabia, from 2011 to 2020

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) places a major burden on the health authorities in Saudi Arabia. Information about the geographical reach and seasonality of CL in Asir province remains limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological features of CL in southwest Saudi Arabia.Methods: Retrospective data from CL patients was collected from the regional vector control unit in Asir province over 9 years. Information analysis was performed using R statistic language (version 4.0.5) and the spatial distribution of cases was mapped using QGIS (version 3.20.0).Results: A total of 1565 CL cases were recorded from 2011 to 2020. Saudi male citizens were at the highest risk of CL infection. However, children under the age of 13 years were most at risk of contracting CL. CL lesions were primarily located on the face and most cases were reported in the winter and autumn seasons. Spatially, the governates of Abha, Sarat-Abidah and Khamis-Mushait had the highest CL infection prevalence. Moreover, a geographical expansion of CL from Abha to Khamis-Mushait governate was noted during past ten years.Conclusions: This is the first large scale study to investigate the seasonality, spatial distribution and demographics of CL in Asir province. It describes how the geographical change of CL incidence differs in Asir province and reveals those people most at of CL infections. This study highlights the importance of incorporating improved living conditions, school education and public awareness in the development of CL control policies.(c) 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences. CC_BY_4.0

Automated summary

This study is the first large-scale investigation into the seasonality, spatial distribution, and demographics of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Asir province. It reveals that Saudi male citizens and children under 13 years old are at higher risk of CL infection, with most cases reported in the face during winter and autumn seasons. Geographically, the governates of Abha, Sarat-Abidah, and Khamis-Mushait have the highest prevalence of CL, with a noted geographical expansion of CL over the past ten years.