A Review of Impact of Bam Earthquake on Cutaneous Leishmaniasis and Status: Epidemic of Old Foci, Emergence of New Foci and Changes in Features of the Disease.
BACKGROUND
Global findings indicate that incidence rate of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has significantly increased during the past decade, as documented in many countries. This review was aimed to evaluate the trend of CL cases in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics during a decade after the earthquake (2003-2012) compared to the corresponding period before the earthquake in Bam (1993-2003).


METHODS
Direct smear preparations along with different intrinsic methods were used for detection and identification of the causative agents.


RESULTS
Overall, 20999 cases of CL have occurred during the last 20 years (1993-2012), 6731 cases before and 14268 cases after the earthquake (P< 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Following a major earthquake, several risk factors could activate epidemics of cutaneous leishmaniasis in old foci and induce emerging foci in new areas.
Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Aflatoonian
Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Iraj
I
Sharifi
Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Bahnaz
B
Aflatoonian
Zoonoses Department, Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Reza
MR
Shirzadi
Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
Mohammad Mahdi
MM
Gouya
Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Control Center, Bam University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Alireza
A
Kermanizadeh
Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Disaster; Earthquake; Iran