Molecular Identification of Leishmania Species Isolated from Human Cutaneous Leishmaniasis by RAPD-PCR

Abstract

Background: Characterization of Leishmania parasites is necessary for epidemiological objectives such as documenting the distri­bution of predominant species and designing appropriate control measures. In this study, we aimed to identify Leishma­nia species isolated from cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) patients, using RAPD-PCR method.
Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was designed against 20 Leishmania spp. which were confirmed by para­si­tological examination, isolated from 30 suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis patients, referred to Health Centers of Kerman­shah Province from August 2006 to December 2007. All desirable samples were characterized by RAPD-PCR method using five selected oligoprimers (AB1-O7, A4, 327, 329 and M13). Electrophoresis patterns from each isolate were com­pared with reference strains of L. tropica, L. major and L. infantum.
Results: Eighty nine percent and 11% of isolates were similar to L. major and L. tropica reference strain, respectively.  Five of the isolates were identified as L. major using RAPD-PCR, induce ulcers at the base tail of Balb/c mice, 4-6 months after inocula­tion.
Conclusion: L. major is dominant in the studied areas and it seems that some parts of the Kermanshah Province to be pro­ba­bly considered as zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis areas in the middle west of Iran.