Supplementary Material: Epidemiology of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Karachi, Pakistan

This study investigates the epidemiology and clinical presentation of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Pakistan. The hypothesis posits that CL cases exhibit geographic clustering, seasonal variation, and an association with travel to endemic areas. A retrospective analysis of 525 cases (July 2019–February 2024) was conducted at the Leishmaniasis Clinic of the Institute of Skin Diseases Sindh Karachi. Data include demographic details (age, gender, residence, travel history) and clinical characteristics (lesion site, count, size, and duration).

Findings reveal a male predominance (65.1%), with younger age groups more affected. Exposed body areas accounted for 96.3% of lesions. The highest case burden originated from Baluchistan (49.7%), followed by Sindh (26.1%) and KPK (21.3%). Among Karachi patients, 37.3% had traveled to endemic regions, while 62.7% reported no travel history, suggesting possible local transmission (P < 0.001). Seasonal distribution analysis using the Jonckheere–Terpstra test showed no significant monthly variation (P = 0.49).

Microscopic confirmation was conducted using Giemsa-stained smears, with histopathology and serology as secondary diagnostics. Treatment followed WHO-recommended protocols, with intralesional or intramuscular antimonials based on lesion count and size. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.22, employing chi-square and trend analysis for statistical comparisons.

This dataset provides valuable epidemiological insights, aiding in disease modeling, risk factor analysis, and targeted public health interventions. Ethical approval (D.O. No. DISDSK 5082) was obtained, and informed consent was secured per the Declaration of Helsinki.

本研究针对巴基斯坦境内的皮肤利什曼病（cutaneous leishmaniasis, CL）的流行病学特征与临床表现展开调查。本研究提出的假说认为，皮肤利什曼病病例存在地理聚集性、季节波动性，且与前往流行地区的旅行史存在关联。
本研究于卡拉奇信德皮肤病研究所利什曼病门诊开展，对2019年7月至2024年2月期间的525例病例进行了回顾性分析。收集的数据涵盖人口统计学信息（年龄、性别、居住地、旅行史）以及临床特征（皮损部位、数量、大小与病程时长）。
研究结果显示，男性患者占比更高（65.1%），且年轻年龄段人群受影响更为显著。96.3%的皮损发生于身体暴露部位。病例占比最高的地区为俾路支省（49.7%），其次为信德省（26.1%）与开伯尔-普赫图赫瓦省（KPK，21.3%）。在卡拉奇的患者中，37.3%的患者有前往流行地区的旅行史，62.7%的患者无此类旅行史，提示存在本地传播的可能性（P < 0.001）。采用容克赫尔-特普斯特拉（Jonckheere–Terpstra）检验进行季节分布分析，结果显示月度差异无统计学意义（P = 0.49）。
研究采用吉姆萨（Giemsa）染色涂片进行显微镜确诊，并以组织病理学检查与血清学检测作为辅助诊断手段。治疗方案遵循世界卫生组织（World Health Organization, WHO）推荐的诊疗规范，根据皮损数量与大小选择病灶内注射或肌内注射锑剂。数据分析采用SPSS v.22软件完成，通过卡方检验与趋势分析进行统计学比较。
本数据集可为疾病建模、危险因素分析以及针对性公共卫生干预措施提供具有参考价值的流行病学见解。本研究已获得伦理审查批准（批准文号：D.O. No. DISDSK 5082），且所有受试者均已按照《赫尔辛基宣言》要求签署知情同意书。