Epidemiology of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Algeria, 2010-2019

The aim of this study was to estimate both the number and annual incidences of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in Algeria over a ten-year period (2010-2019). A retrospective study was conducted using data from all clinically officially notified cases reported between 2010 and 2019. These cases were obtained from the annual reports of the National Institute of Public Health, Algeria. The study showed that 93,838 cases of human cutaneous leishmaniasis were recorded in Algeria. M'Sila reported the highest number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases during this period (28,836), followed by Biskra (20,549). In contrast, the lowest numbers of cases were registered in Mostaganem (2). Cutaneous leishmaniasis cases were recorded in all 48 provinces of Algeria. The highest number of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases was recorded in 2010, totaling 21,052. However, the lowest number of cases was reported in 2012, with only 57 cases. The peak annual incidence rate, 59.77 per 100,000 humans was recorded in 2010. In the same year, Biskra had the highest annual incidence rate of human cutaneous leishmaniasis (817.17). Conversely, the lowest annual incidence rate was recorded in 2012, at 0.16 per 100,000 humans. In 2010, 2011, 2013, and 2014, Biskra registered the highest annual incidence rates, with 817.17, 540.99, 289.65, and 141.39 per 100,000 humans, respectively. Cutaneous leishmaniasis is endemic in many provinces of Algeria. To our knowledge, this is the first retrospective study of cutaneous leishmaniasis covering all 48 provinces of Algeria during the period 2010-2019.