An Epidemiology Study of Some Protozoan Parasitic Diseases in Iraq from 2011 Till 2015

Abstract

The parasitic diseases including leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and malaria are globally wide spread with potentially harmful consequences if it does not treat. Leishmaniasis is caused by the protozoan parasites Leishmania. Many Leishmania spp. causes skin ulcers and nodules. Other species damage the internal organs. Toxoplasmosis is caused by the protozoan parasites Toxoplasma gondii. Malaria is one of tropical and semi-tropical parasitic diseases caused by the protozoan parasites Plasmodium. This study assesses the epidemiology of the leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis and malaria infection for the period from 2011 till 2015 in Iraq. From 2011 till 2015, 3611 patients with visceral leishmaniasis, 21473 patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis, 4365 patients infected with toxoplasmosis, 31 patients with malarial infections were recorded in Iraq. The parasitic diseases including leishmaniasis and toxoplasmosis nowadays have a wider geographical distribution in Iraq. This increase is mainly attributed to the environmental conditions, great migration, urbanization that occurs during the study period. In contrast, according to this study malaria has been greatly reduced in Iraq in the last years and this could be due to the use of protective clothing, insecticides, insect repellents and bed nets.