First report on natural Leishmania infection of Phlebotomus sergenti due Leishmania tropica by high resolution melting curve method in South-eastern Iran.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the Leishmania species in infected sand flies by Real-time PCR coupled with HRM analysis.


METHODS
Real-time PCR coupled with HRM analysis targeting the first internal transcribed spacer (ITS1) of nuclear ribosomal DNA as the genetic marker was used to identify and distinguish Leishmania species in sand flies specimens.


RESULTS
Three out of 115 females of Phlebotomus sergenti (P. sergenti) (2.6%) were positive to Leishmania tropica (L. tropica).


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on P. sergenti as the main and proven vector of anthroponitic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Dehbakri County using Real-time PCR coupled with HRM analysis. This method is rapid, sensitive and specific for diagnosing of parasites in infected Sand flies and ideal for large scale genotyping projects.
Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Afshar A
AA
Aghaei
Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Electronic address: rassiy@tums.ac.ir.
Y
Y
Rassi
Leishmaniasis Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Electronic address: iraj.sharifi@yahoo.com.
I
I
Sharifi
Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
H
H
Vatandoost
Department of Medical Virology, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Hr
H
Mollaie
Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
M A
MA
Oshaghi
Department of Medical Entomology & Vector Control, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mr
M
Abai
Department of Deputy of Strategic Planning, Reference Health Laboratories Research Center, Deputy of Treatment, Ministry of Health & Medical Education of Health, Tehran, Iran.
S
S
Rafizadeh
D000818:Animals; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D007492:Iran; D007895:Leishmania tropica / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008297:Male; D010691:Phlebotomus / Q000469:parasitology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D016054:DNA, Protozoan
Iran; Leishmania tropica; Real-time PCR; Vector(s)