Prevalence and Treatment Outcomes of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Baluchistan, Pakistan

Abstract

About 20 species of the genus Leishmania are responsible for the illness leishmaniasis. It is an underappreciated parasite infection carried by vectors that causes a variety of diseases with different symptoms. There are several risk factors that contribute to its occurrence and prevalence, including starvation, poverty, migration, and inadequate shelter. There is evidence to suggest that the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is increasing in Pakistan. As a result, it is seen as a major public health concern for the country. Moreover, there has been a higher frequency of CL in places that have seen the largest influx of migrants as well as in areas that border Afghanistan. The purpose of this study is to highlight the current reported prevalence and treatment results of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Baluchistan, Pakistan, taking into account the geographic location and dissemination of the disease over the border area. The purpose of the review was to present the results of research (original publications) that were done to show the frequency of CL in Baluchistan, Pakistan, over the previous five years, as well as the outcomes of its treatments. Key phrases such as "Leishmaniasis", "Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL)", "Prevalence", "Treatment outcome", "Baluchistan", and "Pakistan" were entered into several literature search engines, such as PubMed, Scopus, Medline search, and Google Scholar, to retrieve relevant articles. The province of Baluchistan has shown sporadic frequency of the CL, according to studies conducted over the past five years. Every district has displayed a separate illness trajectory and set of statistics. Nonetheless, the pattern of rising incidence and prevalence throughout the province was what was consistently seen. According to reports, the first three decades of life and men are considered to be high-risk groups. The arms and legs were noted to be the lesions' most common locations. The purpose of the review was to present the results of research (original publications) that were done to show the frequency of CL in Baluchistan, Pakistan, over the previous five years, as well as the outcomes of its treatments.