Visceral leishmaniasis in Thi-Qar Province (Iraq)‎ for 10 years (2003-2012)‎

الملخص EN

In Iraq, visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by L.

infantum is more prevalent in south and central regions mostly in the rural areas of Iraq marshlands and usually detected in infants and children.

In this study it was analyzed epidemiological data on visceral leishmaniasis (VL) recorded from 2003 to 2012 years in Iraq.

The study area was included sectors of Thi-Qar province.

A total of 2912 visceral leishmaniasis patients, their age from less than 1 year to 9 years, 1612(55.35%) males and 1300 (44.64%).

Females living in Thi-Qar province were examined in this study.

Most of the cases were less than one year of age (54.01%), only (1.33%) of cases were reported in the age group between (5-9) years.

Statistically, there are significant differences (p<0.05) among three age groups.

VL was distributed in all sectors of Thi-Qar, but Shatra sector had the highest rate 797(27.36%), the lowest one was recorded in Nasseria 1 sector 200 (6.86%).

Statistically, there are significant differences (p<0.05) among all sectors of Thi-Qar.

Each patient was examined clinically and parasitology.

As in conclusion, VL is endemic in Thi-Qar governorate, it is more prevalent in rural areas 2456 (84.34%) than in urban one 456 (15.65%), this differ between two regions may be due to the difference of the various behaviors of the vectors and the different life style of the inhabitants.