Bacterial infections associated with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Salah Al-Din province, Iraq

Abstract

Bacterial co-infection with cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) can effect on the clinical appearance of lesions and delay the healing process. The pattern of bacterial pathogens involved has rarely been investigated in Iraq. The aim of present study was to identify the bacterial agents contaminating CL and their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Four hundred cases of CL were diagnosed in Salah El-Din General Hospital, Iraq. A total of 424 ulcer samples obtained from 400 patients of CL were cultured, and all isolates were diagnosed based on phenotypic characteristics of colonies, bacterial cells and using biochemical tests. No bacterial growth appeared in 124 cases (29.25 %) of the total number of examined ulcer samples, whereas 300 cases (70.75 %) were contaminated. Both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram-negative bacterial species (Escherichi coli, Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were present. The infection with S. aureus represented the highest percentage (26.42 %), while Ps. aeruginosa had the lowest percentage (2.83 %) compared with other bacterial infections. The sensitivity of the isolated bacteria associated with CL was tested against a number of antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, Cefixime, Chloramphenlcol, Doxycycline, Tetracycline). Resistance to Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, and Cefixime was generally high. While, Chloramphenicol showed absolute effectiveness against isolated bacteria. The results of the current study show that bacterial infections should be considered in diagnosing and treating CL lesions, with Chloramphenicol demonstrating the highest efficiency in treating such bacterial infections. The present study also suggests that hygiene, use of suitable disinfectants, controlling of antibiotic administration and prescription in hospitals and pharmacies must be ensured. In addition, regular surveillance in the endemic area will help control bacterial co-infection and hamper the occurrence of drug-resistant pathogens. The lesion care and management of secondary bacterial infection are essential and anti -leishmanial therapy in CL may be more effective when combined with antibiotics. Future molecular studies are needed to identify the species of Leishmania causing CL in Iraq to gain a better understanding of their clinical manifestations (dry or moist ulcers) and their associated bacteria.

Keywords: Bacterial co-infection; Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Opportunistic bacteria.