Role of Leishmanin Skin Test (LST) as Epidemiological Indicators for Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Al-tragma Village, River Nile State, Sudan

Abstract Background Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (CL) is a common health problem in the world and the zoonotic form reported to occur in Sudan. Leishmaniasis has been considered the second parasitic health problem after malaria. Therefore we determine the role of Leishmanin Skin Test (LST) as epidemiological indicators for CL infection in Al-tragma village; one of the endemic areas for the disease in Sudan. Methods The study is a cross-sectional study, 410 individuals inhabiting Al-tragma village were enrolled in the study. Two methods used in this study; structure questionnaire and LST. A structured questionnaire was designed to collect and tested socio-demographic characteristics. The LST was performed by intradermal injection of 0.1 ml LST antigen on the volar surface of the left forearm. The result of LST was read after 48–72 hours using the ballpoint pen technique. SPSS (v 20.0) was used for data analysis. Results LST results showed that 70.7% of respondents were positive and 29.3% were negative. The most infected age groups were 31–40 years (80%) and more than 40 years (82%). The result showed there was a significant difference between LTS and age groups, occupation, domestic and pets animals found in and around the houses, and those having the disease before (P-value < 0.05). Conclusion The overall positive rate for LST was (70.7%). The exposure duration had no effect on LST results. It seems that those patients acquired long-lasting immunity. LST is still a promising tool to evaluate the epidemiological status in endemic areas.