title: 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 atYazd 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Daneshjoo Blv, 638, Yazd, Iran. eslami_g2000@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Gilda
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eslami
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Anvarii
authors.forename: Mohsen
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ebadi
authors.forename: Yasamin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Nabipour
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mirzaei
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gholamrezaei
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khamesipour
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D018320:Leishmania major / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007895:Leishmania tropica / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016773:Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires