Changing patterns of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Israel and neighbouring territories

The most frequent form of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Israel and the neighbouring territories is due to Leishmania major, which is endemic mainly in the Jordan Valley and in the Rift Valley. CL due to L. tropica is much less common, and in the past only sporadic cases have been reported. In this study we present data obtained during the years 1988-1992 regarding CL in the area. Our clinic has diagnosed a total of 371 leishmaniasis cases, most of whom acquired the infection in the Jordan Valley, mainly during June and July. About one-third of the patients had single lesions, and one-third more than 5 lesions. We also describe an outbreak of leishmaniasis in Kfar Adumim, a village 15 km east of Jerusalem, where leishmaniasis was previously unknown. Parasites were characterized by the polymerase chain reaction and by immunostaining, and found to be both L. tropica and L. major. The localization of the homes of the affected people on a slope where hyraxes were abundant suggests that these animals might have been involved in the transmission of L. tropica in this area.