The changing profile of cutaneous leishmaniasis agent in a central province of Iran

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran is usually caused by Leishmania major or L. tropica. However, the direct examination or the cultures of biopsies for diagnosis are not very sensitive. The objective of this study was to identify the responsible species obtained from patients suspected of cutaneous leishmaniasis referred to the reference laboratory at Yazd in Iran during 2010-2011 using parasitological and molecular assays. After completing a clinical/epidemiologic data questionnaire for 145 patients with suspected skin lesions, scraping samples were collected. Each specimen was examined using both direct microscopy and molecular assay using polymerase chain reaction-restriction length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Location of the lesions included 47.7% on hands, 30.7% on face, 15.4% on feet, and the remainder on other regions. Out of 145 samples, Leishman body was observed in 52 by direct smear and 73 by PCR assay. Molecular assay indicated 36 cases as L. major, 36 cases as L. tropica and one case as unknown. In conclusion, molecular characterization showed changing profile of Leishmania species in the study area which may have implications on treatment and/or control strategies. ______________________________________________________________________________________

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Leishmania spp. in Patients With Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Golestan Province, Iran

“…In some studies, specimens that showed 220 and 140 bp fragments after digesting with the Hae III enzyme were considered L. major. 17,23 However, using the PCR-RFLP, LITSR and L58S primers, as well as applying Hae III enzyme on PCR products, Eslami et al 24 presented 210 and 140 bp fragments for L. major, which is consistent with this study. 24 In agreement with the present study, El-Beshbishy et al also reported 132 and 200 bp fragments for L. major.…”

“…17,23 However, using the PCR-RFLP, LITSR and L58S primers, as well as applying Hae III enzyme on PCR products, Eslami et al 24 presented 210 and 140 bp fragments for L. major, which is consistent with this study. 24 In agreement with the present study, El-Beshbishy et al also reported 132 and 200 bp fragments for L. major. 25 According to the findings of Al-Nahhas, the existence of 60 and 200 bp fragments after digestion with Hae III on PCR products was considered L. tropica.…”

ITS1 PCR-RFLP Diagnosis and Characterization ofLeishmaniain Clinical Samples and Strains from Cases of Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in States of the Mexican Southeast

“…On the other hand, Spanakos et al [ 14 ] developed an ITS1 PCR-RFLP method with the endonuclease Apo I for the detection and species differentiation of Leishmania directly from clinical samples, specific enough to identify all Leishmania species commonly encountered in Greece. Slami et al [ 15 ] studied a CL endemic area of Central Iran, by using ITS1 PCR-RFLP analysis for diagnosis of Leishmania species in clinical samples and found changes in the profile of Leishmania species that could have implications on treatment and/or control strategies. On the other hand El-Beshbishy et al [ 16 ] studies with both ITS1 PCR RFLP and kDNA PCR assays in clinical samples from CL patients from western Saudi Arabia found L. major and L. tropica and that kDNA PCR had a sensitivity of 90.7% and ITS1 PCR of 70.1%.…”

Isolation and Molecular Identification of Leishmania spp. Agents in Patients with Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Yazd Province, Endemic Region of Central Iran

“…Out of 159 samples, 87 (54.7%) L. major and 72 (45.3%) L. tropica were identified. Recently, some researchers showed the same incidence of L. tropica and L. major among patients with CL ( 5 , 8 ). In this study, the frequency of these two main species in this region was almost the same.…”