Epidemiological, Diagnostic, and Therapeutic Study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in the Bougtob Region (El Bayadh, Algeria): An Integrated Public Health Approach
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Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis is an endemic vector-borne disease that is expanding across several regions of Algeria, particularly in the municipality of Bougtob (El Bayadh province), a semi-arid area marked by significant epidemiological and environmental vulnerability. This study aims to characterize the local epidemiological profile of the disease between 2021 and 2025, identify the major risk factors (human, animal, ecological), and analyze the treatment practices adopted, whether from modern medicine or traditional knowledge. The methodology is based on a mixed approach: hospital surveys conducted at Kadhi Mohamed Hospital, parasitological tests (Giemsa-stained smears, PCR), ethnomedical interviews with rural and nomadic populations, and entomological assessments of larval habitats. Results reveal a high incidence among young adults living in rural areas, exposed to Phlebotomus vectors and animal reservoirs (stray dogs, rodents), in humid, vegetated, or poorly sanitized environments. The use of biomedical treatments (Glucantime®, Miltefosine) coexists with natural remedies such as henna, garlic, and fenugreek. Although preventive measures are known (insecticide-treated bed nets, spraying, awareness campaigns), their implementation remains fragmented. The study concludes with the need for an integrated “One Health” strategy, combining human, veterinary, and environmental interventions to ensure sustainable disease control.
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References
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