Species Identification and Molecular Typing of Leishmania Spp. Using Targeting Hsp70 Gene in Suspected Patients of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis From Sistan and Baluchestan Province, Southeast Iran



Mirahmadi H^{1, 2} ; Salimi Khorashad A^{1, 2} ; Sohrabnahad A² ; Heydarian P³ ; Bizhani N³
Source: Iranian Journal of Parasitology Published:2016

Abstract

Background: Leishmaniasis is a sand fly-borne disease caused by the protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. Because of the preventing and controlling methods, clinical course, prognosis and choice of treatment are differing from species; differentiation of species is critical. The present study was aimed to detect the parasite species using the PCR-RFLP method. Methods: A total of 130 Giemsa-Stained slides from suspected Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients were examined under a light microscope at×1000. DNA from each slide was extracted PCR method was undertaken with HSP70 genes and the PCR products were digested with a restriction enzyme HaeIII (BsuR1). The study was conducted in the laboratory of Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in the Sistan and Baluchestan Province, southeastern Iran in 2015. Results: From 130 suspected samples, 59 (45.3%) were positive by the microscopic examination, meanwhile 64 (49.2%) were positive by PCR-RFLP, Leishmania species were recognized, and L. tropica was introduced as predominant species in current study. Conclusion: PCR-RFLP is a valuable technique for distinguish of Leishmania species. Furthermore, anthroponotic CL is the dominant cause of CL in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. © 2016, Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). All rights reserved.