@article{95485,
  keywords = {Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health, Infectious Diseases},
  author = {Akuffo R and Sanchez C and Chicharro C and Carrillo E and Attram N and Mosore M and Yeboah C and Kotey NK and Boakye D and Ruiz-Postigo J and Moreno J and Wilson M and Sarfo B and Anto F},
  editor = {Schallig HDFH},
  title = {Detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis in three communities of Oti Region, Ghana},
  abstract = {<jats:sec id="sec001">
<jats:title>Background</jats:title>
<jats:p>Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most common type of leishmaniasis, a neglected tropical disease caused by parasites of the genus <jats:italic>Leishmania</jats:italic>. In Ghana, some studies in the Volta region have detected <jats:italic>Leishmania</jats:italic> parasites among persons with skin ulcers.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec002">
<jats:title>Methodology/Principal findings</jats:title>
<jats:p>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 <jats:italic>Leishmania</jats:italic> 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.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>
<jats:sec id="sec003">
<jats:title>Conclusions/Significance</jats:title>
<jats:p>Confirmation of CL in the study area suggests an active cycle of transmission of <jats:italic>Leishmania</jats:italic> infection. The observation of skin ulcers which tested negative to <jats:italic>Leishmania</jats:italic> infection suggests a need to test for additional causes of skin ulcers such as <jats:italic>Treponema pallidum pertenue</jats:italic> and <jats:italic>Mycobacterium ulcerans</jats:italic> in the study area.</jats:p>
</jats:sec>},
  year = {2021},
  journal = {PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases},
  volume = {15},
  pages = {e0009416},
  publisher = {Public Library of Science (PLoS)},
  issn = {1935-2735},
  url = {https://journals.plos.org/plosntds/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pntd.0009416&type=printable},
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pntd.0009416},
  language = {eng},
}