PREVALENCE OF CUTANEOUS LEISHMANIASIS IN WESTERN REGION OF LIBYA

Saleha Alarabi Algusbi; Abdul Aleem Mohamed Alesawei; Ali Abdul Qqasim Ehtewish; Mohamed Nagy Abuziad; Mohamed Khaled Sadaa; Miraj Abdul Hamid Ahnish

doi:10.47891/sabujas.v0i0.61-69

Saleha Alarabi Algusbi Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology-Surman
Abdul Aleem Mohamed Alesawei Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology-Surman
Ali Abdul Qqasim Ehtewish Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology-Surman
Mohamed Nagy Abuziad Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology-Surman
Mohamed Khaled Sadaa Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology-Surman
Miraj Abdul Hamid Ahnish Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology-Surman

DOI: https://doi.org/10.47891/sabujas.v0i0.61-69

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmanisis (CL), Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), Mucocutaneous Leishmaniasis (MCL), Sabratha

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic parasitic infection in the Mediterranean region, including Libya. This study was to determine the epidemiological changes of cutaneous leishmaniasis about incidence, age of patients, sex, season and residency from May 2020 to February 2022 at Zwaga Health centre in Sabratha city. The samples studied were from different cities in the Western part of Libya. 294 samples of which 180 were males and 114 were females, and whose age was 20-80 years.

The results showed that, most of the infected cases (48.6%) were less than 20 years old. It was also noticed that males are more likely to be infected (61.2%) than females (38.8%). Moreover, Sabratha was the most affected city (62.6%).

The results also showed that most of the infected cases were in the leg, hand and foot (42.5%). The highest incidence was in the winter (81.0%).

Knowing the prevalence and epidemiology of the disease can help reduce and prevent cutaneous leishmaniasis. Hence, further studies are needed to identify vector, reservoir and species of leishmania can help control this endemic infectious disease.

Author Biographies

Saleha Alarabi Algusbi, Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology-Surman