Author/Authors :
HEZARI, Farideh Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , NIYYATI, Maryam Infectious Diseases and Tropical Medicine Research Center - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , SEYYED TABAEI, Javad Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , MOHEBALI, Mehdi Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , MOIN VAZIRI, Vahideh Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , BEHNIAFAR, Hamed Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , AZARGASHB, Eznolah Dept. of Family Medicine - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran , TAGHIPOUR, Niloofar Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran
Abstract :
Background: Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by species of protozoa of the genus Leishmania. In recent years, incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis has increasing trend in Golestan Province, North of Iran. The aim of the present study was to identify the frequency of cutaneous leishmaniasis using PCR-RFLP in patients referred to Kalaleh Health Center, during 2013-14.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on 70 individuals with suspected cutaneous leishmani-asis that referred to health center of Kalaleh County, Golestan Province, Northern Iran, from Sep 2013 to Nov 2014. Samples of cutaneous lesions were examined microscopically. DNA was extracted from all of the positive smears and PCR was done on ITS-1 gene. RFLP was performed using HaeIII enzyme for species identification.
Results: Totally, 38 out of the 70 (54.3%) suspected individuals including 22 males (57.9%) were found positive by microscopic examination. All of microscopically positive samples were confirmed to be positive for Leishmania DNA (approximately 340 bp bands were detected). RFLP revealed 140 bp and 200 bp bands (approximate size), indicative of L. major.
Conclusion: The detected species of studied region was L. major. Cutaneous leishmaniasis has high prevalence in Kalaleh County, thus more studies on leishmaniasis in the animal reservoirs, comparison of homology of animal and human isolates and a survey regarding natural infection of vectors in this region is highly recommended.
Keywords :
Leishmania major , ITS-1 , Cutaneous leishmaniasis , Iran
