Detection and identification of cutaneous leishmaniasis isolates by culture, polymerase chain reaction and sequence analyses in Syrian and Central Anatolia patients

Abstract

Objectives:To characterize the cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) isolates of Syrian and Central Anatolia patients at species levels.Methods:Skin scrapings of 3 patients (2 Syrian, 1 Turkish) were taken and examined by direct examination, culture in Novy-MacNeal-Nicole (NNN) medium, internal transcribed spacer polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis (PCR).Results:According to microscopic examination, culture and PCR methods, 3 samples were detected positive. The sequencing results of all isolates in the study were identified as Leishmania tropica. The same genotypes were detected in the 3 isolates and nucleotide sequence submitted into GenBank with the accession number: KP689599.Conclusion:This finding could give information about the transmission of CL between Turkey and Syria. Because of the Syrian civil war, most of the Syrian citizens circulating in Turkey and different part of Europe, this can be increase the risk of spreading the disease. So, prevention measurements must be taken urgently.

The Geographical Distribution of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Causative Agents in Iran and Its Neighboring Countries, A Review

“…Based on the molecular species identification, L. tropica was reported from Sanliurfa and Diarbakir (southeast); Nigde (MR, south); Izmir, Aydin, and Mugla (ER, southwest); Bingol (east); Konya (Central Anatolia region, south-central); and Adana and Hatay (south), while L. infantum was known as the main species in Hatay province and reported from one patient in Osmaniye (south) (76)(77)(78)(79)(80)(81). L. major has also been reported in small numbers in Mus, Hatay, Adana, Sanlirufa, and Antalya (74,82,83).…”