First detection of Leishmania infantum in Phlebotomus kandelakii using molecular methods in North-Eastern Islamic Republic of Iran

ABSTRACT

Shirvan district in north-eastern Islamic Republic of Iran is a new focus of visceral leishmaniasis. This study aimed to identify the vector [s], the parasite and the species composition of sand flies in the district during July-September 2009 using polymerase chain reaction techniques. In all, 2088 sand flies were collected from 3 villages. Nine sand fly species were identified Phlebotomus kandeiakii [Shchurenkova], P. major [Annandale], P. halepensis [Theodor], P. popatasi [Scopoli], P. sergentl [Parrot], P. longidoctus [Parrot], P. caucasicus [Marzinovsky], Sergentomyia sintoni [Pringle] and S. sumbarica [Perfii'ev]. P. sergentl and P. kandetakii were the most prevalent Phlebotomus species at 31.3% and 10.0% respectively. Of 59 female P. kandelokll, 2 [3.4%] were naturally infected with L infantum. This is the first finding of natural infection of P. kandelakii by L infantum in this region suggesting P. kandelakii may be the vector of L infantum in the area although it is the second most prevalent phlebotomine species