[ nested-PCR based detection of cutaneous leishmaniasis vectors in Jask county, Hormozgan, Iran]

ABSTRACT

The city of Jask in south east of Iran has been considered an endemic focus of leishmaniasis. PCR-based techniques can detect lower parasite burdens, reducing the number of false negatives and improving the quantification of Leishmania parasites in the sand fly. The aim of this epidemiological study was to detect vector[s] by PCR techniques in the city of Jask located in Hormozgan province. Sand flies were captured using CDC miniature light traps and sticky papers during 2007-2008 and identified by their morphology. DNA extraction performed by Proteinase K and Phenol/Chloroform/Isoamyl Alcohol methods. Leishmania kinetoplast minicircle DNA was amplified by two Nested-PCR techniques using species-specific primers [LINR4-LIN17-LIN19] and [CSB1XR-CSB2XF-LiR-13Z].These primers could differentiate among Leishmania species of Iran. A total of 8123 sand flies were collected. The fauna was identified as eight species [3 Phlebotomus and 5 Sergentomyia]. Phlebotomus papatasi, P. salehi and Sergentomyia theodori were the three most dominant species [59.91%, 17.21% and 7.32% respectively]. 60, 50 and 40 parous unfed female specimens of P. papatasi, P. salehi and S. theodori were investigated for Leishmania DNA infection. Leishmania major DNA was detected in 3 [5%] specimens of P. papatasi and 2 [4%] specimens of P. salehi. Anthropophilic index of these two species were 29.6 and 18 percent, respectively. This study was the first molecular study for detection of cutaneous eishmaniasis vectors in Hormozgan province in Iran. According to the findings of the present study P. papatasi and P. salehi are probable vectors of cutaneous leishmaniasis in this focus