A Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in a Non-Endemic Region of South Rajasthan

INTRODUCTION: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne protozoal infection of the skin with variable clinical manifestations. In Rajasthan, western Thar desert is endemic for this disease. AIM: The present study was aimed to describe clinico-epidemiological features of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases from a non-endemic area of South Rajasthan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A hospital-based prospective study was carried out during a period of 3 years (2017-2019). Data regarding clinical profile and treatment outcome were recorded in a predesigned proforma for analysis. Diagnosis of CL was made clinically and confirmed by demonstration of amastigotes in microscopic examination of Giemsa stained tissue smear of lesions. RESULTS: Out of 24 patients, 16 (67%) were females and 8 (33%) were males. The age ranged from 3 months to 68 years (median-25). Face (67%) and extremities (29%) were the common sites affected. The most common morphological form was crusted plaques (54%) followed by nodular lesions (38%). Slit skin smear for Leishmania donovani bodies was positive in all patients (100%). CONCLUSION: This study highlights a focus of CL in non-endemic areas of South Rajasthan. Of late leishmaniasis is breaking out of its classical boundaries and is increasingly being reported from new geographic locations with a possibility of a novel parasite variant. Therefore, a high clinical suspicion of CL should be kept in non-endemic area.