Molecular typing of sandflies, proven and possible vectors of leishmaniasis in Khuzestan province, using two genes elongation factor_1α and cytochrome b

Summary and Objective:Sandflies are vectors of leishmaniasis in human in rural areas, Khuzestan. Some of Phlebotominae sandflies with morphological characters are unable to distinguish but withmolecular methods are applicable.Materials and Methods:In adult sandflies activity seasons, samples were collected using sticky trap, aspirator and CDC light trap from different locations of Khuzestan. After dissection, sandflies were mounted. DNA was extracted. Two genes of elongation factor_1α and Cytochrome b genes were amplified, typed and analyzed using molecular software.Results:About 3000 sandflies were collected, first identified based on morphological keys. 150 different sandfly species were selected, DNA was extracted and two genes amplified by PCR and sequenced the fragments. These samples were contained main and possibility vectors of leishmaniasis in KhozestanDiscussion:Using morphological characters in some female sandfly species are indistinguishable. By employing elongation factor_1α and Cytochrome b genes not only different sandfly species were identified but also different haplotypes of each sandfly species were found.

Molecular typing of sandflies, proven and possible vectors of leishmaniasis in Khuzestan province, using two genes elongation factor_1α and cytochrome b Keywords:

Molecular typing sandflies , Cytochrome b , Elongation factor_1α , Khuzestan