A new focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan Province, Central Iran

ObjectiveTo determine the epidemiological features of cutaneous leishmaniasis including human infection, reservoirs and vectors in the city of Aran o Bidgol.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out on Leishmania spp. isolated from rodents, sandflies and patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Aran o Bidgol. Parasites were identified by random amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR technique and data were reported by using descriptive statistics and frequency percent.ResultsRandom amplified polymorphic DNA-PCR showed that 71.4% of human isolates were Leishmania major (L. major) and the rest were Leishmania tropica. In addition, 17.8% of Rhombomys opimus and 1.9% of female Phlebotomus papatasi were infected with L. major.ConclusionsThe results indicate that L. major parasite is the causative agent of the disease among patients. And Rhombomys opimus and Phlebotomus papatasi are the main reservoir host and vector in the dissemination of L. major in the city. Therefore Aran o Bidgol is introduced as a new focus of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Central Iran in order to prevent zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, and control of the rodents and sandflies are suggested.