02687nas a2200337 4500000000100000008004100001260003700042653005700079653002400136100001300160700001400173700001600187700001500203700001300218700001300231700001300244700001300257700001300270700001900283700001300302700001300315700001200328700001100340700001800351245008300369856009900452300001300551490000700564520176400571022001402335 2021 d bPublic Library of Science (PLoS) 10 aPublic Health, Environmental and Occupational Health 10 aInfectious Diseases 1 aAkuffo R 1 aSanchez C 1 aChicharro C 1 aCarrillo E 1 aAttram N 1 aMosore M 1 aYeboah C 1 aKotey NK 1 aBoakye D 1 aRuiz-Postigo J 1 aMoreno J 1 aWilson M 1 aSarfo B 1 aAnto F 1 aSchallig HDFH 00 aDetection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana uhttps://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0009416&type=printable ae0009416 0 v15 3 a
Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common type of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus Leishmania. In Ghana, some studies in the Volta region have detected Leishmania parasites among persons with skin ulcers.
Methodology/Principal findings
Using a cross-sectional study design, the prevalence of CL in three communities of the Oti Region of Ghana was investigated. Demographic and epidemiological data were obtained by a structured interviewer administered questionnaire. A total of 426 (12.4%) out of 3,440 participants screened had at least one skin ulcer. Of 595 skin ulcers sampled and tested by PCR for Leishmania infection, 150 (25.2%) ulcers from 136 individuals tested positive, accounting for an overall CL prevalence of 31.9% among persons with skin ulcers. Individual community CL prevalence of 23.2%, 29.8%, and 36.8% was observed in Ashiabre, Keri, and Sibi Hilltop respectively among persons with skin ulcers.
Conclusions/Significance
Confirmation of CL in the study area suggests an active cycle of transmission of Leishmania infection. The observation of skin ulcers which tested negative to Leishmania infection suggests a need to test for additional causes of skin ulcers such as Treponema pallidum pertenue and Mycobacterium ulcerans in the study area.
a1935-2735