Nutritional Intake and Chronicity Associated with the Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Role of Vitamin A

Vahid Mashayekhi Goyonlo; Abdolreza Norouzy; Mohsen Nemati; Pouran Layegh; Saeed Akhlaghi; Ahmad Reza Taheri; Bita Kiafar

Nutritional Intake and Chronicity Associated with the Old World Cutaneous Leishmaniasis: Role of Vitamin A

Iran J Public Health. 2020 Jan;49(1):167-172.

Authors

Vahid Mashayekhi Goyonlo¹, Abdolreza Norouzy², Mohsen Nemati², Pouran Layegh¹, Saeed Akhlaghi³, Ahmad Reza Taheri¹, Bita Kiafar¹

Affiliations

¹ Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
² Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
³ Deputy of Research, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

PMID: 32309235
PMCID: PMC7152633

Abstract

Background: Old world cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is known as a self-healing cutaneous parasitic infection. Host immunity has a fundamental role in the course of this infection. This study was designed to investigate the relationship between nutritional status and vitamin A intake with the clinical course of CL.

Methods: Overall, 250 patients with CL attending a dermatology clinic in Imam Reza Hospital Mashhad, Iran, were enrolled from Apr 2011 to Aug 2012. For data gathering, a semi-quantitative 302-item food frequency questionnaire was utilized. They received routine treatment protocols for leishmaniasis and 1 year of follow-up.

Results: As for the 149 patients who completed the study, a deficiency of macro and micronutrients, particularly vitamin A, was significantly related to a chronic clinical disease course.

Conclusion: Imbalanced or insufficient nutritional intake including vitamin A deficiency, may influence the clinical course of CL.

Keywords: Cutaneous leishmaniasis; Nutrition; Vitamin A.