Human cutaneous leishmaniasis in two communities in eastern Sinai, Egypt.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) (L. major) has been documented in soldiers of the Multinational Force in the Sinai as well as in visitors to the area. However, little is known about the prevalence of this disease in the local populations. We identified 2 villages in northeastern Sinai near the infected camps of the Multinational Force and, in a population-based study, measured the prevalence of CL. Populations studied included residents in 2 towns as well as a Bedouin family living on the village periphery. Leishmanial parasites were identified from smears taken from cutaneous lesions. Three of 90 residents in 1 village and 3 of 8 Bedouins had CL. None of 43 residents examined in the second town had CL. Two of 6 individuals had multiple lesions, and at least 1 had recurring ulcers. Five of the 6 affected individuals were males and the 6 represented all age groups. The 6 infected individuals came from 3 families. Infected individuals had traveled outside of the village more frequently than uninfected individuals, suggesting that transmission was more common outside of residential areas.