Outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis amongst militia members in a non-endemic district under conflict in the lowlands of Somali Region caused by Leishmania tropica, Eastern Ethiopia.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Ethiopia has typically been linked to high-altitude regions but has recently emerged at an unusually low altitude of 500 meters in the Somali Region, raising public health concerns. Cutaneous leishmaniasis has not been previously identified in the region. There is a conflict in the starting area and only militias have been infected with very serious lesions.

Methodology/principal findings

Routine clinical and socio-demographic information was extracted from the patient chart using a case report form. Additionally, clinical and laboratory data were obtained from 30 patients suspected for CL. Skin scraping and fine needle aspirates were collected from the raised edges, nodular and centre of the lesions followed by DNA extraction using

SUBMITTER: Abera A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12324667 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature