Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Public Health 2251-6085 44 3 2015 03 15 299 307 Iraj Sharifi Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Mohammad Reza Aflatoonian Research Center of Tropical and Infectious Diseases, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Ali Reza Fekri Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Maryam Hakimi Parizi Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Abbas Aghaei Afshar Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Ahmad Khosravi Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Fatemeh Sharifi Pharmaceutics Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Behnaz Aflatoonian Neuroscience Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Ali Khamesipour Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Yahya Dowlati Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Farrokh Modabber Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiatives (DNDi), 15 Chemin Louis-Dunant, Geneva, Switzerland. Abolhasan Nadim School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 10 14 Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a serious public health concern in Kerman Province, eastern Iran. This study was aimed to conduct a comprehensive review and highlights various aspects of CL in the province of Kerman. Methods: This article mainly focuses on the studies published in the past 26 years on CL in the province. Current data for the present status were obtained through the provincial health system. Results: Bam was the most infected district (63.6%), followed by Kerman (24.7%) and other districts to a less extent. Leishmania tropica is the major causative agent (95.5%) of CL in Kerman province, however, L. major accounts for 4.5% of the total cases. Bam, Kerman and southern districts of Kerman province were purely anthroponotic CL (ACL), while Rafsanjan, Baft, and Sirjan showed both ACL and zoonotic CL (ZCL). In contrast, Orzoieh district was merely endemic to ZCL type. Phlebotomus sergenti was the main vector in ACL foci while Ph. papatasi was the major vector in the ZCL district of Orzoieh. Localized CL was the most prevalent form (80%) of the disease, while leishmaniasis recidivans was the most uncommon clinical manifestation (18.7%). Conclusion: Due to recent rises in CL disease both in regard of increases in incidence rate and expansion of the disease to new foci, and presence of various risk factors in the province, control measures and health strategies should have high priorities to help treat the existing cases and prevent the expansion of the disease to new areas. https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/view/3657 https://ijph.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijph/article/download/3657/3332