Diagnosis and treatment of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

Zoonotic diseases are an important threat for health and well being of the world population and cutaneous leishmaniasis is one of them. The disease occurs in various parts of the world and is prevalent from shores of Mediterranean to central Asia and the Latin America, Africa and some parts of China also. The infection has been recorded in different parts of India, but distribution of the disease in India is not uniform, in some areas, it is sporadic whereas in others, it is endemic and is known by various local names according to areas viz Ambala sore, Karnal sore and Delhi boil etc. Cutaneous Leishmaniasis caused by protozoan parasite Leishmania tropica. This disease is a type of metazoonosis and is of great zoonotic importance next to malaria infection in human beings especially for the arid desert of Bikaner city of Rajasthan. The natural infection of cutaneous leishmaniasis was reported in dogs and human beings (Lodha et al., 1971, Chhangani et al., 1995). It is transmitted by sand fly (Phlebotomus spp.) between dogs and men (Garnham, 1971). The Phlebotomus spp. of fly are usually found to breed in loose soil, bricks, rat holes etc. (Kalra et al., 1986, Zherikhiva et al., 1989). Twenty dogs having suspected lesions on their mouth and other parts of body were investigated. Blood smears from suspected lesions were prepared and stained with leishman's stain. Out of twenty, 6 dogs were found to be positive for LT bodies further the treatment trial was undertaken in cases of oriental sore in dogs 3 dogs were treated with 10 percent sodium antimony gluconate and 3 dogs with 1 percent berberine sulphate solution both the drugs proved to be equally good for the lesions of oriental sore in dogs. Both drugs were injected intralesionally @ of 0.5 ml per Sq cm of skin lesion drugs were injected by means of a tuberculin syringe with 26 gauge needle by inserting it from edges of the ulcer at four points the injections were given at weekly interval for 3 to 8 times.