Molecular data on vectors and reservoir hosts of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in central Iran.
Due to the increasing number of positive cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis with occurrence of new foci, a study was carried out to investigate on vectors and reservoirs of the disease in the Shahrood district, central Iran during 2005-2006. Sandflies and rodents were collected using sticky papers and Sherman live traps respectively More than 1700 sandflies were collected and identified, mainly Phlebotomus papatasi species. RAPD-PCR analysis of sandflies showed that 10% of P. papatasi and 4.2% of P. caucasicus were naturally infected with Leishmania major. Two species of rodents, potential reservoirs, Rhombomys opimus (92.5%) and Nesokia indica (7.5%) were trapped in the district. Microscopy identification from rodents confirmed that 91.9% of the Rhombomys opimus were positive to amastigotes. Species identification of isolated parasites revealed Leishmania major DNA in the infected Rhombomys using RAPD-PCR technique. This epidemiological data highlight the importance of the disease in the region and could help people involved in control programs.
Rassi
Y
Y
Department of medical entomology & vector control, School of public health & Institute of health research, Tehran University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran. rassiy@sina.tums.ac.ir
Abai
M R
MR
Javadian
E
E
Rafizadeh
S
S
Imamian
H
H
Mohebali
M
M
Fateh
M
M
Hajjaran
H
H
Ismaili
K
K
D000818:Animals; D004175:Diptera / Q000469:parasitology; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission*; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000235:genetics; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012377:Rodentia / Q000469:parasitology; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000635:transmission*