Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia ... · The Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest natural oasis in Saudi ArabiaandallofAsia.Itislocatedjustover40miles (65 km) west

Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences | Vol. 1 | Issue 2 | Jul-Dec 2013 | 64-7164

Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia and in Sudan: A Comparative Study

Ahmed M. El HassanDepartment of Pathology, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan

Correspondence: Prof. Ahmed M. El Hassan, Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Sudan. E-mail: [email protected]

INTRODUCTION AND HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) of the Old World is caused by different parasites that include Leishmania major, Leishmania tropica and Leishmania aethiopica. The clinical manifestations, the vector, the pathology and response to the treatment vary widely depending on the types of parasite and the clinical manifestations.

This article compares various aspects of CL caused by L. major in the Al-Ahsa Region of the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sudan. It will be shown that the parasites in Sudan and Saudi Arabia are L. major of different zymodermes. The vector in both countries is Phlebotomus papatasi and the reservoir of the

parasite is Psammomys obesus in Al-Ahsa and the Nile rat in Sudan. The clinical manifestations and the pathology are similar in the two countries, but some differences have been documented. This article is based on the author’s experience of work undertaken in both Saudi Arabia and Sudan.

EPIDEMIOLOGY OF CL IN AL-AHSA AND SUDAN

The Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest natural oasis in Saudi Arabia and all of Asia. It is located just over 40miles(65km)westoftheArabianGulfandmeasures30,000acres(12,000hectares).Over60artesiansprings,aswellas a large underground aquifer (Encyclopedia Britannica) feed the Oasis. Collectively, these provide water for the million residents and irrigation for over 3 million date palms in the area. In addition to palm trees, the Oasis has abundant wild vegetation, including Chenopod which is the only plant that P. obesus feeds on. Besides, indigenous population, there is a sizable number of people from Asia and the Arab World.

In Al-Ahsa, CL attained epidemic proportions in 1973decliningsubsequentlytoreachaplateauinthemid-1980s.[1]

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DOI:10.4103/1658-631X.123642

A B S T R A C T

This is a comparative study of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Sudan. The disease in both countries is caused by Leishmania major of different syndromes and the vector is Phlebotomus papatasi. The animal reservoir host in Saudi Arabia is Psammomys obesus and the Nile rat in Sudan. The clinical manifestations are similar, but some forms encountered in Sudan were not seen in Saudi Arabia. The pathology, immunology, diagnosis and treatment of CL are discussed.

Key words: Al-Ahsa, cutaneous leishmaniasis, Nile rat, Psammomys obesus, Sudan

تعرض هذه الدراسة مقارنة للشمانيا الجلدية في واحة الاحساء بالمنطقة الشرقية بالمملكة العربية السعودية وجمهورية السودان. يسبب المرض في كلا البلدين طفيلي اللشمانيا ميجر وناقل واحد وهو ب.باباتازي. الحاضن الحيواني للمرض في السعودية هو سامومى اوبيسس وفي السودان جرذان النيل. تتشابه الأعراض السريرية في البلدين ولكن بعض أشكال المرض خاصة بالسودان ولاتوجد في المملكة العربية السعودية. تناقش

هذه الورقة باثولجيا المرض ومناعياته وكيفية تشخيصه وعلاجه.

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El Hassan: A comparative study of cutaneous leishmaniasis

65Saudi Journal of Medicine & Medical Sciences | Vol. 1 | Issue 2 | Jul-Dec 2013

L. majoriswidelydistributedintheareaandhasbeenidentifiedas the species causing zoonotic CL with P. papatasi as its vector and P. obesus as its reservoir host.[2]Inthe1980s,theCollegeof Medicine and Medical Sciences of King Faisal University, Dammam,establishedafieldstationatAljishaVillageinAl-Ahsa to study CL in the area. A clinic and a laboratory were established in the village. It was attended by Saudi and non-Saudi patients. Most of the latter were Egyptians and Asians working on the farms. No surveys were done and all the data were on patients attending the clinic. Other members of the team studied the vector and the reservoir host. In a clinical study, in which 56 Saudi and 66 non-Saudi patients were examined, it was found that the Saudi patients were considerably younger and had significantly milder diseasethan the non-Saudi patients.[3]

The endemic areas for CL in Sudan are Kordofan, Darfur in the west and an area in the north along the main Nile. Cases of CL have been described by several authors in Sudan since 1911.[4-8] These were usually single cases and theparasitewasnot typed. In the1970sand1980s, twomajor epidemics of CL have occurred in Sudan including Khartoum.Thefirstepidemiconrecordstartedin1976inthe Shendi-Atbara area[9] consistent with a newly-introduced disease in a non-immune population. All the groups were affected. During the epidemic, the incubation period of CL varied from 2 to 4 weeks in the majority of cases. Another outbreak started in Tuti island of Khartoum district in 1985.[10] The disease spread across north and south of Khartoum district and is now endemic in almost all the rural and urban areas of Sudan with the exception of South Sudan. Children are the most affected in the prevailing endemic areas.

Clinical featuresIn a report on the clinical manifestations of CL due to L. major in Aljisha village in the Al-Ahsa Oasis, the disease wasdescribed as slowly evolving inflammatory lesion(s)that are nodular, noduloulcerative or ulcerative that heals spontaneously with scar(s) in 3-12 months. Features of diagnostic value were identified and their approximatefrequency determined in a selected group of 475patients. [11] These features were: Exposed location site, pairing or clustering of lesions, skin crease orientation, volcanic nodules, satellite papules, subcutaneous nodules and “iceberg” nodules. A combination of three or more of these forms also occurred in Sudan and had the same diagnostic value [Figures 1-4].[12] Lymph node enlargement was documented in both Sudan and Saudi Arabia.[13] The affectedlymphnodesweregenerallysolitaryinform,firm,mobile, non-tender, only moderately enlarged appearing to persist beyond the associated skin lesions.

Sporotrichoid CL is the spread of the parasite from the primary cutaneous lesion to the regional lymph nodes.[13,14] Sporotrichoidspreadoccurredin20%and10%ofpatientsin the Sudan and Al-Ahsa respectively. Sporotrichoid form of the lesion is characterized by linear nodules along the course of the lymphatic.[14] The nodules are better felt than seen. Between nodules, the lymphatic may be thickened and palpable. Pathologically, the nodules are due to an inflammatoryinfiltratecontainingparasites.[14]

As mentioned above, during epidemics all the age groups were affected. After the epidemics abated, the disease became endemic and children were the most affected up to 90%ofthepopulationdevelopedapositiveleishmaninskintest as a result of healed lesions or sub-clinical infection.[15]

The basic clinical manifestations of CL in Sudan are similar to those in Al-Ahsa with a few differences. Some features reported in Sudan were not described in Saudi Arabia[Figures5-10].Thelesscommonclinicalformsin Sudan included Leishmanial dactylitis which is due to infiltrationofthebackofthefingerortoebyparasitesand chronic inflammatory cells. Mycetoma-like lesionis characterized by multiple papules and nodules resembling mycetoma (maduromycosis) Some Sudanese patientsdevelopedthickinfiltrativelesionsandnodulesin the face and other parts of the body, which were usually mistaken for leprosy [Figure 6]. Recidivans-like lesions are due to L. major were reported in two patients who presented with lesions consisting of a central scar and an active ulcerated growing edge [Figure 7].[16] However, they differed from recidivans lesions due to L. tropica inthatthelesionsdidnothealfirstbyscarringfollowed by recurrence in the scar. The healing and ulceration developed simultaneously, a feature that was not previously described in zoonotic CL due to L. major. Leishmaniasis in the nose was characterized by an ugly crusted lesion [Figures 8 and 9]. We recently published a case of CL from Darfur in an 18-year-old male who had extensive lesions in the face from the age of 1 year [Figure10].[17] The parasite was typed as L. major and he responded dramatically to intravenous Pentostam.

THE RESERVOIR HOST, THE PARASITE AND VECTOR IN AL-AHSA AND THE SUDAN

The reservoir of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Al-Ahsa is P. obesus.[2] L. major and L. Arabica were isolated from animals. L. major was the predominant species in animals.[2,18]

Information in the reservoir host of CL in Sudan is limited in1990.Badifoundleishmaniaparasitesin13Arvicanthis



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niloticus and in one Genetta genetta in Khartoum district. [19] One isolate from A. niloticus was typed as L. major Zymoderme LON-1. In the outbreak of CL on Tutiisland,sandflieswereinfectedwithL. major.[20]

After the first survey mentioned above,[18] another major survey of the phlebotomine fauna in a focus of ZCL in the Al-Ahsa Oasis, revealed only one species of Phlebotomus (P. papatasi) and three of Sergentomyia

Figure 5: Scattered small ulcerated nodule of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the foot simulate Mycetoma (Maduromycosis) which is common in Sudan

Figure 6: Nodular and infiltrative lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an uncontrolled diabetic. Patient was suspected of leprosy but smears showed heavy infection with L major

Figure 3: An ulcer in the forearm with only slightly raised margin

Figure 4: Skin crease orientation is one of the features of cutaneous leishmaniasis

Figure 1: An ulcerated lesion showing satellite papulesFigure 2: Nodulo-ulcerative lesion with skin crease orientation and some satellite papules




Figure 7: Recidivans like lesions in the forearm of a female Figure 8: Heavily crusted lesion in the nose

(S. antennata, S. clyde and S. fallax).[2] Eleven specimens of P. papatasi from six sites in the oasis were found to have promastigotes in the midgut. An isolate from one of thesandflieswastypedbytheexaminationofisoenzymesand was identified as L. major, zymodeme LON-4 (=Montpellier zymodeme 26), the principal zymodeme of L. major isolated from patients with ZCL in the oasis. Three isolates from leishmania lesions at the sites of the bites of wild specimens of P. papatasiwerealsoidentifiedas the same zymodeme of L. major as the isolate from thesandfly.

PathologyThe pathology of leishmaniasis in Saudi Arabia and Sudan are essentially the same, despite the different zymodemes of the parasites. We used Ridley’s classificationsystemtoclassifymaterialfromSudanandSaudi Arabia.[21] There were some differences between our system of classification and Ridley’s. Lesions in

SudanandSaudiArabiacouldbegroupedintofivetypes:A, B, C, D and E. Type A, which was the least common, consisted of sheets of macrophages containing many parasites. Lymphocytes and plasma cells were few. Type B consisted of macrophages, lymphocytes, plasma cells, but unlike Ridley’s Type B, there was no obvious necrosis of individual macrophages. Despite this difference, we retained Ridley’s Type B nomenclature. Type C showed focalized areas of necrosis. The necrosis affected large numbers of parasitized macrophages. When this occurred near the epidermis, it caused ulceration. We identified a new type that we called Type D. It wascomposed of a heavy lymphocytic infiltrate, activatedmacrophages, poorly-formed granulomas and scanty parasites. Patients with this reaction had an exaggerated Leishmaninskinresponse,reaching17mmindiameter.Type D was uncommon in Sudan and Al-Ahsa. Type E consisted mainly of well-formed epithelioid granulomas

Figure 9: After treatment of the patient in Fig 5, the lesion healed completely without scarring

Figure 10: This 18 year-old male from Darfur had facial lesions misdiagnosed as leprosy for 17 years. He was successfully treated with Pentostam in 30 days




with a virtual absence of plasma cells and relatively scanty lymphocytes. Subcutaneous nodules showed necrosis associated with neutrophils. Histologically, the nodes draining skin lesions showed follicular hyperplasia with prominent germinal centers and expansion of the paracortex. Necrosis was seen in some lymph nodes. Parasites were scanty or not demonstrable in these nodes, although Leishmania antigen was found in the follicular dendritic cells and interdigitating cells of the paracortex.

IMMUNOLOGY AND IMMUNOPATHOLOGY

Elimination of parasites in CL involves 2 mechanisms.[22,23]The first is a necrotizing process inwhich the macrophage and the parasites it contains are destroyed. In the second, the macrophage is activated by T. lymphocytes to destroy the parasite in intact macrophages through the production of interferon by the T. cells. Tumor necrosis factor Alpha was considered to play a central regulatory cytokine in the introduction of macrophage antimicrobial activities. [22,23] In an ultrastructural study, Veress et al.[24] showed that parasites were destroyed in activated macrophages. El-Hassan et al. reported on the cell phenotypes in lesions of CL caused by L. major.[25] T-cells were abundant in CL lesions. In an active lesion, the majority of T-cells were T-helper cells or the T-helper and T. suppressor cells were present in almost equal numbers, while in a regressing lesion, the majority was of the CDB cytotoxic/suppressor phenotype.

ApartfromT-cells,othercellsintheinfiltrateincludeB.cells, plasma cells, lysozyme-positive macrophages and S-100proteinantigen-containingcells.[25] The Lysozyme positive cells included parasitized macrophages, epithelioid and multi-nucleated giant cells. The S-100protein antigen-positive cells were the Langerhans cells of the epidermis and cells with a similar morphology were withinthedermalinfiltrate.Bothlysozyme-positivecellsand the S-100 antigen-positive cells were also positivefor histocompatibility antigen human lymphocyte antigen (HLA)-DR and had Leishmania antigen on their surfaces. They, therefore, acted as antigen presenting cells (ABC) to T. lymphocytes both in the skin lesions and the draining lymph nodes. The keratinocytes of the normal skin were HLA-DR negative, but became HLA-DR positive when theycoveredthedermalinfiltrateofaCLlesion.[25]

Another immunohistochemical study of APC in human CL, identified ABC as Langerhans cells, macrophagefollicular dendritic cells and interdigitating reticulum

cells of the paracortex of lymph nodes.[26] Peripheral mononuclear cells proliferated in response to leishmania antigen.[27] The response was less in patients with a severe disease than in those with mild disease. When Interferon gamma and IL-4 were measured in the peripheral blood of L. major infected individuals, two types of cytokines were found. In some patients, there was INF gamma without IL-4 (TH 1 response). In others, there was IL-4 and little INF gamma (TH-2 like response). The TH-1 response was in patients with mild disease, in which, their lesions eventually healed spontaneously. Those with the TH-2 response had severe disease, ran a prolonged course of the disease and required treatment.[27]

DiagnosisSmearsSmears from the lesion are usually used to demonstrate parasites. Several techniques are used, including slit smears, needle aspiration, surface abrasion with sandpaper and the dental broach method.[28] The material issmearedonacleanglassslide,fixedinmethanolandstained with Giemsa’s stain. The success rate of these methodswasbetween50%and80%,dependingonthetechnique used, the parasite load and the skill of the investigator. The slit smear was the most reliable.[28]

Demonstration of parasites in sectionsParasites were identified in about 70% of the cases inparaffinsectionsstainedwithhematoxlyinandeosin.[29] It was possible to estimate the parasite load by counting the parasites in the sections.[30]

Culture and animal inoculationMaterial from the lesion can be inoculated into NNN medium, Schneider’s insect medium or other media.[31] The major limiting factor is bacterial and fungal contamination. This can best be overcome by inoculating the material into hamsters of BALB/c mice.

SerologyComplement fixation, hemagglutination, indirectfluorescencetest,immune-electrophoresisandenzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) have been used, but were found to be of little value in the diagnosis of CL.[29] The direct agglutination test and ELISA were used in patients with a CL from Sudan, but were also found to be of no diagnostic value.[32] An ELISA using a 28 amino acid sequence of the repetitive element of gene B protein (GBP) from L. major was developed for serodiagnosis of CL.[32] The sensitivity of the test was 82%, higher than ELISA using crude amastigoteorpromastigoteantigens.Significantlyhigherlevelsof




antibodies were found in Sudanese patients who had the disease for more than 8 weeks than in patients with a shorter clinical history. The test was negative in healthy normal controls and in patients with malaria. It was concluded that the GBP ELISA could be used as a supplementary test in the diagnosis of CL.[33] It can be used to support a provisional diagnosis in early disease andtoconfirmit inthosewithahistoryofmorethan8 weeks.

Molecular biologyUsing the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), L. major was identified inmaterial fromSudanese patientswitha CL.[34] Direct microscopy of slit smears or histological sections to demonstrate L. major parasites in Sudanese patients with CL was compared with the PCR in frozen sections from the same patients. PCR had a sensitivity of86%whenusedaloneand93%whencombinedwithSouthern blotting. In contrast, microscopy of histological sectionshadasensitivityof76%andmicroscopyofslitandimpressionsmearswereonly55%and48%sensitive,respectively. PCR had the added advantage of identifying the species of the parasite.

Leishmanin skin testThis is carried-out by the intradermal injection of killed promastigotes.[12] The test is read 48-72 h later. Apositive reaction is an induration of 5 mm or more. The test is of little value in the diagnosis of individual cases, but is useful in epidemiological surveys.

TreatmentZCL is a self-limiting disease. In most patients self-healing occurs within 6 months, although lesions may persist for a year or more (chronic CL). There is at present, no uniform protocol for treating CL in Sudan. In our own practice, patients with minor lesions are reassured and lesions are left to heal spontaneously.[12] Patients with severe or multiple lesions (>5), diabetics with lesions and patients with sporotrichoid spread are treated. Large lesions on the face, particularly on the eyelid, which may cause scars that interfere with closing the eye, should also be treated. Leishmaniasis of the nose is unsightly and should be treated even if it is the only site affected. Several treatment schedules are available. One treatment which has been used for a long time in Sudan is the pentavalent antimony compound (Pentostam, Welcome laboratories UK). This drug was givenintravenouslyorintramuscularlyatadoseof10mg/kg/day for 3-4 weeks). We have now increased the dose to20mg/kg/dayfor3to4weeks.Theresponseisgood.The drug is generally well-tolerated. Possible side-effects include reaction at injection site, allergic skin eruption,

anorexia, nausea and vomiting, headache, myalgia and, with high doses, Electrocardiogram (ECG) changes and elevation of transaminase levels.[29] Three antifungal drugs, ketoconazole, itraconazole and terbinafine were used inthe treatment of CL. Ketoconazole which is effective and well-tolerated is given orally at a dose of 400mg daily(for adults) for 4 weeks.[35,36] No idiosyncratic hepatitis has been encountered in Saudi Arabia.[29] Itraconazole has been used to treat L. major infection in Iran.[37] The authors concluded that itraconazole cannot be used as a single agent for the treatment of L. major infection. Intralesional infiltrationwith pentostammay be effectiveand is recommended in early lesions, but is very painful.[38]

Topical paromomycin was successfully used for an acute and chronic CL in palestine and was reported to cure the diseasewhenusedfor20days.[39]

CryotherapyCryotherapy was reported to have a high cure rate without any complication,[40] but using cryotherapy, Al-Gindan et al. found a low cure rate and severe complications.[41]

ControlA study tested the efficacy of zinc phosphide andfenacoum against the reservoir host P. obesus rat. The results showed that both the rodenticides were significantly(P<0.01)effectiveinreducingthenumberof active holes during 1 year of application.[42] It is doubtful if thiswasfollowedbyasignificantreductionin the number of cases in the population. There is no control program in Sudan.

*In memory of the late Dr. Sabir Elbihari: A great Parasitologist and a wonderful person.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The author is indebted to Dr. Haim Mohammed, Research Assistant at the Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, for helping with the references.

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15. Kadaro AY, Ghalib HW, Ali MS, Eltoum I, Ismail A, Gaafar A, et al. Prevalence of cutaneous leishmaniasis along the Nile River north of Khartoum (Sudan) in the aftermath of an epidemic in 1985. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1993;48:44-9.

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19. Badi M. Animal reservoir of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Khartoum. [MSc].Thesis:UniversityofKhartoum;1990.

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22. Nacy CA, Fortier AH, Meltzer MS, Buchmeier NA, Schreiber RD. Macrophage activation to kill Leishmania major: Activation of macrophages for intracellular destruction of amastigotes can be induced by both recombinant interferon-gamma and non-interferonlymphokines.JImmunol1985;135:3505-11.

23. Nacy CA, Meierovics AI, Belosevic M, Green SJ. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha: Central regulatory cytokine in the induction of macrophage antimicrobial activities. Pathobiology 1991;59:182-4.

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27. GaafarA,KharazmiA, Ismail A,KempM,HeyA,ChristensenCB, et al. Dichotomy of the T cell response to Leishmania antigens in patients suffering from cutaneous leishmaniasis; absence or scarcity of Th1 activity is associated with severe infections. Clin ExpImmunol1995;100:239-45.

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30. RidleyDS,RidleyMJ.The evolutionof the lesion in cutaneousleishmaniasis. J Pathol 1983;141:83-96.

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32. el-SafiSH,PetersW,el-ToamB,el-KadarowA,EvansDA.Studieson the leishmaniases in the Sudan. 2. Clinical and parasitological studies on cutaneous leishmaniasis. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 1991;85:457-64.

33. Jensen AT, Gaafar A, Ismail A, Christensen CB, Kemp M, Hassan AM, et al. Serodiagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis: Assessment of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using a peptide sequence from gene B protein. Am J Trop Med Hyg 1996;55:(5);490-5.

34. Andresen K, Gaafar A, El-Hassan AM, Ismail A, Dafalla M, Theander TG, et al. Evaluation of the polymerase chain reaction in the diagnosis of cutaneous leishmaniasis due to Leishmania major: A comparison with direct microscopy of smears and sections from lesions.TransRSocTropMedHyg1996;90:133-5.

35. Urcuyo FG, Zaias N. Oral ketoconazole in the treatment of leishmaniasis. Int J Dermatol 1982;21:414-6.

36. Kubba R, Al-Gindan Y, El-Hassan AM, Omer AH. Ketoconazole in cutaneous leishmaniasis: Results of a pilot study. Saudi Med J 1986;7:596-604.

37. MomeniAZ,JalayerT,EmamjomehM,BashardostN,GhassemiRL, Meghdadi M, et al. Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis with itraconazole. Randomized double-blind study. Arch Dermatol 1996;132:784-6.

38. El Hassan AM. Treatment of cutaneous leishmaniasis. Sudan Med J1987;SpecialIssue;El-Hassanet al.:11.

39. el-On J, Halevy S, Grunwald MH, Weinrauch L. Topical treatment of Old World cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania major: A double-blind control study. J Am Acad Dermatol 1992;27:227-31.

40. Bassiouny A, El Meshad M, Talaat M, Kutty K, MetawaaB. Cryosurgery in cutaneous leishmaniasis. Br J Dermatol 1982;107:467-74.




41. Al-Gindan Y, Kubba R, Omer AH, el-Hassan AM. Cryosurgery in old world cutaneous leishmaniasis. Br J Dermatol 1988;118:851-4.

42. Al-MohammedHI.EfficacyoftworodenticidesagainstLeishmaniareservoir host rat (Psammomys obesus) in the rural area of Al-Ahsa Oasis,SaudiArabia.JEgyptSocParasitol2010;40:609-16.

How to cite this article: El Hassan AM. Cutaneous leishmani-asis in al-ahsa oasis in Saudi Arabia and in Sudan: a comparative study. Saudi J Med Med Sci 2013;1:64-71.

Source of Support: Nil. Conflict of Interest: None declared.


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Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Al-Ahsa Oasis in Saudi Arabia ... · The Al-Ahsa Oasis is the largest natural oasis in Saudi ArabiaandallofAsia.Itislocatedjustover40miles (65 km) west