Epidemiological status of leishmaniasis in the Islamic Republic of Iran, 1983-2012

Leishmaniasis has a long history in the Islamic Republic of Iran. This study aimed to show the trend in leishmaniasis incidence from 1983 to 2012 and to describe the epidemiological characteristics in 2012. In a retrospective cross-sectional study, data were extracted from th%e national leishmaniasis surveillance system for the 3 clinical types-cutaneous [zoonotic and anthroponotic] and visceral [zoonotic]. The average annual number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was 18 884 [average annual incidence 32 cases per 100 000 inhabitants]. In 2012 the highest incidences were in age groups 1-4 and 5-9-years [43 and 40 per 100 000], and more males [57%] than females [43%] were infected. The annual average number of zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis cases was 175 [average annual incidence 0.18 per 100 000]. The incidences of cutaneous and zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis have decreased in recent years, which coincides with national leishmaniasis control efforts