How to Predict the Diagnosis of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Non-Endemic Region

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic infection transmitted by the female sandfly, which has limited knowledge in non-endemic areas. Aims: To predict the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of CL cases on treatment during the period of Syrian refugees' settlement. Methods and Material: The epidemiological and clinical data of 81 patients with CL who were admitted to the Istanbul Bagcilar Research and Training Hospital between March 2010 and April 2017 were conducted as a retrospective cohort study. A logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Most detected demographics were Syrians (n = 56, 69.1%), ages <= 18 (n = 37, 45.7%), males (n = 49, 60.5%), elementary-school graduates (n = 35, 43.2%), and $500-750 income (n = 42, 51.9%). Most detected clinical characteristics were head/neck location (n = 38, 46.9%), acute-dry localized type (n = 71, 88%), crusted-papule (n = 79, 97.5%), and two lesions (n = 29, 35.8%). Means for age, family population, and session were 25.28 & PLUSMN; 20.90, 7.04 & PLUSMN; 2.03, and 11.27 & PLUSMN; 3.52, respectively. Majority of patients were admitted in 2014 and June. Significant factors by age were location, lesion type/number, and disease-duration. Lesion number & GE;10, ages & GE;41, crusted-nodule, cicatrix, and dissemination increased in session numbers, whereas crusted-nodule showed significant predictivity (P = 0.01). Conclusion: Location, lesion type/number, and disease duration may change by age in CL cases, whereas the presence of a crusted nodule may have a predictive effect on the number of treatment sessions.

Automated summary

This is a study predicting the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases during treatment. The results showed that age, lesion location, and disease duration were associated with lesion type and number of treatment sessions. The presence of a crusted nodule may predict the number of treatment sessions.