Clinical and epidemiological review of tegumentary leishmaniasis in a central region of Peru

Abstract

Background: Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease with a high prevalence and worldwide incidence, causing around 70,000 deaths per year. Aim: To determine the clinical and epidemiological profile of cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis in the Province of Ambo, Department of Huánuco, Peru, during the period from 2000 to 2017. Methods: A descriptive, observational, retrospective and cross-sectional study was conducted population base. Results: We identified 1,312 confirmed cases of tegumentary leishmaniasis, the cutaneous clinical form had a higher prevalence compared to mucocutaneous (83.2 vs 16.7%). The infection in the masculine gender had greater predominance in front of the feminine one (53.3 vs 46.6%). The highest reported annual incidence rate was 412.67/ 100,000 inhabitants during the year 2000 while the lowest registered was in 2015 with 24.45/ 100,000 inhabitants. The Ambo district was the most affected in the clinical cutaneous form (43.1%) as mucocutaneous (38.2%) of the disease. The main diagnostic method for both clinical forms was microscopy (82.0 vs 81.0%) and the most used therapy was sodium stibogluconate (85.6 vs 78.6%). Failure to treatment was reported in 25% for both presentations clinics. Conclusions: The eco-environmental conditions of this area of Peru have allowed the establishment of tegumentary leishmaniasis; showing trends similar to world literature. However, more research is needed to explain the epidemiological behavior of this disease that allows the creation of epidemiological prediction models for timely and adequate control.