Publication: Detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana
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2021-05
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Akuffo, Richard
Sanchez Herrero, Carmen ISCIII
Chicharro, Carmen ISCIII 
Carrillo, Eugenia ISCIII 
Attram, Naiki
Mosore, Mba-Tihssommah
Yeboah, Clara
Kotey, Nana Konama
Boakye, Daniel
Ruiz-Postigo, Jose-Antonio
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Public Library of Science (PLOS)
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Abstract
Background: 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.
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PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 May 24;15(5):e0009416.