Emerging Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Caused by

Background: Leishmaniasis is a neglected tropical disease transmitted by vectors, ranking among the top 10 infectious diseases globally in terms of morbidity and mortality. The cutaneous form (CL) is the most common and is endemic in 19 of Iran's 31 provinces. In non-endemic regions, however, both physician familiarity and patient encounters with the disease are rare. Methods: This study reports a case of CL in a nine-year-old boy from Sardasht County, West Azerbaijan Province, a non-endemic area for CL in Iran and with no history of travel to endemic areas. The patient presented with purulent wounds on his hands and feet that did not respond to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Diagnosis was confirmed by identifying the vacuolated amastigote forms of Results: The parasite was identified as Conclusion: This case highlights the need for rapid and accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and ongoing surveil-lance to prevent the emergence of leishmaniasis in non-endemic regions. More attention must be paid to this disease by the healthcare system and physicians, even in non-endemic areas.