Determination of Leishmania Parasite Species of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Using PCR Method in Central County, Qom Province

Background: Leishmaniasis is one of the most important health problems in many areas of Iran. This study aimed to identify leishmania species in patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis using PCR teqnique based on sequencing ITS1 primers in villages of the central county of Qom province.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was done on 169 patients who with leishmaniosis, based on clinical and laboratory confirmation treated and were followed in health center of Qomrood in 2010. This data was recorded in epidemiologic data forms. The DNA was extracted by KIAGEN kits. The extracted DNA was exploited to identify the parasite by PCR technique. The data were analyzed by SPSS-17 software. Chi square and Fisher’s exact test were used for the evaluation of the hypothesis.

Results: The PCR result confirmed the parasite positive slides and obtained bands from these slides were seen in the range of 350 bp which are expected band for the leishmania major parasite. The most frequent age group was above 15 years old (71.5%). Hands and feet were the most common sites of ulcer (78.8%). 19.5 of patients had 3 ulcers and more. Highest disease prevalence was observed in months October, December and November.

Conclusion: The PCR results illustrated that the prevalent CL in the central county of Qom province is Zoonotic type (ZCL), and the agent of disease is leishmania major parasite. In conclusion, identification of the disease and parasite type can help the health officials to make appropriate strategies for its prevention and control.