Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Multan, Pakistan.
BACKGROUND
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is endemic in certain areas of Pakistan. This study was carried out to determine the incidence and clinical pattern of the disease in Pakistan.


METHODS
CL patients presenting in the out-patient clinic of the Department of Dermatology, Nishtar Hospital, Multan from January 1995 to June 1997 were included in the study. The patients were diagnosed clinically and confirmed by laboratory demonstration of the parasite in a Giemsa-stained smear from the lesion. All important clinical details were recorded on specially designed forms.


RESULTS
Three hundred and five patients with 681 lesions were seen during 30 months. All the lesions were of the dry type. Most of the lesions (97%) were present on exposed areas of the body. One hundred and thirty-four (44%) patients had one and 75 (24%) had two lesions. Eight five per cent of the sufferers were less than 30 years of age. The disease was slightly more preponderant in males (60%). Most cases presented during winter.


CONCLUSIONS
Lack of wet type lesions may be due to complete absence of Leishmania major in this area. This is in contrast to other areas of Pakistan where both dry and wet types of CL are present.
Mujtaba
G
G
Department of Dermatology, Nishtar Medical College, Multan, Pakistan.
Khalid
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D012867:Skin / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology