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Imported leishmaniasis in Sweden 1993-2016

Karlsson Söbirk, Sara LU orcid ; Inghammar, M LU ; Collin, Mattias LU orcid and Davidsson, Leigh (2018) In Epidemiology and Infection 146(10). p.1267-1274
Abstract

In Sweden, leishmaniasis is an imported disease and its epidemiology and incidence were not known until now. We conducted a retrospective, nationwide, epidemiological study from 1993 to 2016. Probable cases were patients with leishmaniasis diagnoses reported to the Swedish Patient registry, collecting data on admitted patients in Swedish healthcare since 1993 and out-patient visits since 2001. Confirmed cases were those with a laboratory test positive for leishmaniasis during 1993-2016. 299 probable cases and 182 confirmed cases were identified. Annual incidence ranged from 0.023 to 0.35 per 100 000 with a rapid increase in the last 4 years. Of 182 laboratory-verified cases, 96 were diagnosed from 2013 to 2016, and in this group, almost... (More)

In Sweden, leishmaniasis is an imported disease and its epidemiology and incidence were not known until now. We conducted a retrospective, nationwide, epidemiological study from 1993 to 2016. Probable cases were patients with leishmaniasis diagnoses reported to the Swedish Patient registry, collecting data on admitted patients in Swedish healthcare since 1993 and out-patient visits since 2001. Confirmed cases were those with a laboratory test positive for leishmaniasis during 1993-2016. 299 probable cases and 182 confirmed cases were identified. Annual incidence ranged from 0.023 to 0.35 per 100 000 with a rapid increase in the last 4 years. Of 182 laboratory-verified cases, 96 were diagnosed from 2013 to 2016, and in this group, almost half of the patients were children under 18 years. Patients presented in different healthcare settings in all regions of Sweden. Cutaneous leishmaniasis was the most common clinical manifestation and the majority of infections were acquired in Asia including the Middle East, specifically Syria and Afghanistan. Leishmania tropica was responsible for the majority of cases (42%). A combination of laboratory methods increased the sensitivity of diagnosis among confirmed cases. In 2016, one-tenth of the Swedish population were born in Leishmania-endemic countries and many Swedes travel to these countries for work or vacation. Swedish residents who have spent time in Leishmania-endemic areas, could be at risk of developing disease some time during their lives. Increased awareness and knowledge are needed for correct diagnosis and management of leishmaniasis in Sweden.

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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
in
Epidemiology and Infection
volume
146
issue
10
pages
1267 - 1274
publisher
Cambridge University Press
external identifiers
  • pmid:29848389
  • scopus:85047866709
ISSN
0950-2688
DOI
10.1017/S0950268818001309
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
676423a3-198b-4587-a623-b4b4c81704fe
date added to LUP
2018-06-08 15:06:20
date last changed
2024-04-15 07:54:02
@article{676423a3-198b-4587-a623-b4b4c81704fe,
  abstract     = {{<p>In Sweden, leishmaniasis is an imported disease and its epidemiology and incidence were not known until now. We conducted a retrospective, nationwide, epidemiological study from 1993 to 2016. Probable cases were patients with leishmaniasis diagnoses reported to the Swedish Patient registry, collecting data on admitted patients in Swedish healthcare since 1993 and out-patient visits since 2001. Confirmed cases were those with a laboratory test positive for leishmaniasis during 1993-2016. 299 probable cases and 182 confirmed cases were identified. Annual incidence ranged from 0.023 to 0.35 per 100 000 with a rapid increase in the last 4 years. Of 182 laboratory-verified cases, 96 were diagnosed from 2013 to 2016, and in this group, almost half of the patients were children under 18 years. Patients presented in different healthcare settings in all regions of Sweden. Cutaneous leishmaniasis was the most common clinical manifestation and the majority of infections were acquired in Asia including the Middle East, specifically Syria and Afghanistan. Leishmania tropica was responsible for the majority of cases (42%). A combination of laboratory methods increased the sensitivity of diagnosis among confirmed cases. In 2016, one-tenth of the Swedish population were born in Leishmania-endemic countries and many Swedes travel to these countries for work or vacation. Swedish residents who have spent time in Leishmania-endemic areas, could be at risk of developing disease some time during their lives. Increased awareness and knowledge are needed for correct diagnosis and management of leishmaniasis in Sweden.</p>}},
  author       = {{Karlsson Söbirk, Sara and Inghammar, M and Collin, Mattias and Davidsson, Leigh}},
  issn         = {{0950-2688}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  number       = {{10}},
  pages        = {{1267--1274}},
  publisher    = {{Cambridge University Press}},
  series       = {{Epidemiology and Infection}},
  title        = {{Imported leishmaniasis in Sweden 1993-2016}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0950268818001309}},
  doi          = {{10.1017/S0950268818001309}},
  volume       = {{146}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}