Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia and in Sudan: A comparative study

A comparative study of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Al-Ahsa Oasis, Saudi Arabia, and Sudan reveals shared clinical manifestations but distinct epidemiological patterns. Both regions are affected by Leishmania major, transmitted by the vector Phlebotomus papatasi, with Psammomys obesus serving as the reservoir host in Saudi Arabia and the Nile rat in Sudan. While symptoms like ulcers and scars are common, some forms observed in Sudan were absent in Saudi Arabia, suggesting regional variations in disease presentation or transmission dynamics. The study also examines pathological differences, immunological responses, diagnostic challenges, and treatment efficacy, contributing to a better understanding of CL's diverse manifestations across geographic and ecological contexts.

El Hassan, A. (2013). Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia and in Sudan: A comparative study. Saudi Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences, 1(2), 64. https://doi.org/10.4103/1658-631x.123642