Determination of Reservoir(s) and Vector(s) of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis by Nested-PCR in Marvdasht District, Fars Province, Southern Iran

Introduction: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an increasing public health problem in several parts of Iran. In southern parts, the incidence of CL has been doubled over the last decade. This epidemiological study was done for determination of reservoir(s) and vector(s) of cutaneous leishmaniasis in rural regions of Marvdasht, Fars province,southern Iran during ۲۰۰۳ and ۲۰۰۴. Methods: A total of ۱۲۶ rodents were collected from three villages using live traps and their Giemsa-stained smears were studied for leishmania infection. After DNA extraction from positive smears, Nested-PCR was used for the identification of parasite species. In another procedure, ۲۰۰ sand flies were collected by aspirator and after species identification DNA extraction and PCR was done. Results: The collected samples included Meriones libycus (۷۵.۴%), Cricetulus migratorius (۱۴.۳%) and Microtus arualis (۱۰.۳%). Eight out of ۹۵ Meriones libycus (۸.۴%) were found to be infected with Leishmania major. None of the other species were positive. Among the collected female sandflies ۷۵% were identified to be Phlebotomus papatasi and ۲.۷% of them were found with L.major infection. Conclusion: Only ۲.۷% of Phlebotomus papatasi were found naturally infected with Leishmania major. This is the first report of detection of L.major by Nested-PCR in P.papatasi as a proven principal vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Fars province, south of Iran

Keywords:

Reservoir , Vector , Cutaneous leishmaniasis , Nested-PCR , Fars , Iran