Iranian Journal of

  Background & Objectives : Leishmaniasis is a disease of the skin caused by a variety of protozoa. Leishmaniasis can be seen in any geographic region. This study investigated the role of climate on the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the city of Sabzevar between 2003 and 2009.

  Methods : Daily meteorological data (minimum, maximum and mean temperature, sunshine hours, precipitation, and humidity) and city-level data on the prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis between 2003 and 2009 were prepared and analyzed using Pearson correlation, time delay, and time series methods.

  Results: The maximum incidence of the disease was observed during the second half of the year, especially in the autumn, in the age group 10 to 20 years. The highest incidence was seen among women and for the wet (rural) type. In addition, the disease showed a weak positive correlation with relative humidity and rainfall, and a weak inverse correlation with sunshine and temperature. It is noteworthy that in the delay analysis, correlations increased with a confidence interval of 95%. In the time delay of three months, the correlation of leishmaniasis incidence and prevalence with relative humidity and rainfall was positive and strong (r=0.82 and P=0.006, r=0.88 and P=0.002, respectively) and the correlation of the disease with temperature and sunshine hours was inverse and strong (r=0.80 and P=0.01, r=0.77 and P=0.01, respectively).

  Conclusion : Considering the significant relationship between climatic factors and leishmaniasis in desert regions, we recommend appropriate measures should be taken to identify and control these factors.