First report on natural infection of the Phlebotomus tobbi by Leishmania infantum in northwestern Iran

► Vectors of Leishmaniasis were studied in Ardebil, where it neighbors Azerbaijan in the northwestern Iran. ► Leishmania infantum, the agent of Visceral form, was found in Phlebotomus tobbi and Phlebotomus perfiliewi transcaucasicus. ► This is the first report of natural infection of P. tobbi with L. infantum in the region. ► More investigations need to find out the causative agent and vector/s of CL in the region.