Dr. Fatemeh Livani, Dr. Faramarz Koohsar, Dr. Farideh Tohidi, Dr. Mitra Sharbatkhori, Dr. Roghiyeh Faridnia, Dr. Ayeneh Hajieh Pangh, Dr. Mehdi Khoshrou, Dr. Hamed Kalani,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (4-2025)
Abstract
Background and objectives: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a prevalent infectious zoonotic disease between human and animals. Golestan province is one of the important centers of CL in Iran. Current method for detecting Leishmania parasite in patients is Giemsa-stained direct smear from skin ulcers; however, PCR is a strongly recommended method for epidemiological studies. The aim of this study is to investigate Leishmania species in negative ulcer smears from patients suspected of having CL referred to Aq Qala health center using multiplex nested PCR method.
Methods: This study was performed on 72 negative ulcer smears from patients suspected of having CL referred to Aq Qala health center, Golestan province, northeastern Iran, during August 2019 to April 2020 using multiplex nested PCR method to detect Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica species.
Results: Out of 72 samples, 4 (5.55%) samples were positive by multiplex nested PCR. Moreover, all positive samples are related to Leishmania major species.
Conclusion: Detecting of Leishmania species is strongly recommended in negative ulcer smears from patients suspected of having CL using multiplex nested PCR method.
