Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 49 1 2020 01 07 167 172 Vahid MASHAYEKHI GOYONLO Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Abdolreza NOROUZY Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Mohsen NEMATI Biochemistry of Nutrition Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Pouran LAYEGH Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Saeed AKHLAGHI Deputy of Research, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Ahmad Reza TAHERI Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran Bita KIAFAR Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran 2020 01 07 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. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/19375 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/19375/6642