New evidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis in north-eastern Italy

Human leishmaniasis is on increase in the Mediterranean Europe. However, the exact prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is largely unknown as underdiagnosis and under reporting are common.

To evaluate epidemiological, clinicopathological and microbiological aspects of CL cases occurring in the Bologna Province, north-eastern Italy.

We performed a retrospective, observational study on CL cases diagnosed in the Bologna Province between January 2013 and December 2015.

During 2013-2015, 30 cases of CL were identified in the Bologna Province with an average incidence of 1.00/100 000, with an increase of fourfold to 12-fold as compared to previous years. 16 of 30 (53%) CL cases presented as single, typical lesions. CL diagnosis was carried out by histological and molecular techniques, although in 7 of 29 (24%) PCR-positive cases, amastigotes were not visible on histology.

We report new evidence of CL cases in a focal area of north-eastern Italy in 2013-2015. Our study highlights the importance of CL surveillance in the Mediterranean basin and emphasizes the need for the molecular laboratory surveillance of CL in endemic areas.