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. 2021 May 24;15(5):e0009416.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009416. eCollection 2021 May.

Detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana

Richard Akuffo  1   2 , Carmen Sanchez  3 , Carmen Chicharro  3 , Eugenia Carrillo  3 , Naiki Attram  4 , Mba-Tihssommah Mosore  4 , Clara Yeboah  4 , Nana Konama Kotey  5 , Daniel Boakye  1 , Jose-Antonio Ruiz-Postigo  6 , Javier Moreno  3 , Michael Wilson  1 , Bismark Sarfo  2 , Francis Anto  2
Affiliations

Detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana

Richard Akuffo et al. PLoS Negl Trop Dis. .

Abstract

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Non-invasive sampling of skin lesions.
Fig 2
Fig 2. Examples of skin ulcers which tested positive for Leishmania parasite.
A. Location: Left lower leg; dimension:10.1mm by 5.9mm. B. Location: Left lower arm; dimension:17.0mm by 15.1mm. C. Location: Left lower arm; dimension:17.6mm by 11.0mm. D. Location: Left lower leg; dimension:14.4mm by 5.2mm.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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