Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Multan: Species identification

To identify the Leishmania species being responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Multan. Parasites were isolated from clinically and parasitologically confirmed lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis from 30 patients by fine needle aspiration [FNA]. The bioptical materials were then cultured in Evans Tobie's medium and parasites isolated were identified by isoenzyme electrophoresis technique. Successful Leishmania isolates were obtained from 16 patients. All strains were identified by biochemical techniques as belonging to Leishmania tropica zimodeme MON7 variant PGD. The causative species was identified as Leishmania tropica