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Leishmania Spp Infection in Patients and Great Gerbils (Rhombomys Opimus) in a High-Risk Focus of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Central Iran: A Microscopic and Molecular Survey Publisher



Marvimoghadam N1 ; Mohebali M2 ; Rassi Y1 ; Zahraeiramazani AR1 ; Oshaghi MA1 ; Jafari R3 ; Fatemi M1 ; Arandian MH3 ; Abdoli H3 ; Shareghi N3 ; Ghanei M3 ; Jalalizand N3 ; Veysi A4 ; Ramazanpoor J5 Show All Authors
Authors
  1. Marvimoghadam N1
  2. Mohebali M2
  3. Rassi Y1
  4. Zahraeiramazani AR1
  5. Oshaghi MA1
  6. Jafari R3
  7. Fatemi M1
  8. Arandian MH3
  9. Abdoli H3
  10. Shareghi N3
  11. Ghanei M3
  12. Jalalizand N3
  13. Veysi A4
  14. Ramazanpoor J5
  15. Aminian K5
  16. Salehi A5
  17. Khamesipour A6
  18. Akhavan AA1
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Vector Biology and Control of Diseases, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Isfahan Health Research Station, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Research Institute for Health Development, Zoonoses Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
  5. 5. Isfahan Health Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
  6. 6. Center for Research and Training in Skin Diseases and Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: Journal of Arthropod-Borne Diseases Published:2025


Abstract

Background: Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is an endemic disease in Varzaneh City where Leishmania major is the causative agent and the great gerbil, Rhombomys opimus, is the main reservoir host of the disease. Despite control efforts, ZCL outbreaks recur every few years. This study was conducted to revive information on the parasite/s species circulating between humans and the reservoirs in the region. Methods: Leishmania infection in patients and R. opimus was studied using direct parasitological and molecular methods during 2019–2021. Nested-PCR and DNA sequencing were used for Leishmania parasite identification. Inter and intra-species variations in the Leishmania parasites were investigated using BLAST and MEGA7 software. Results: All suspected patients (N=34) and 14 out of 36 great gerbils tested positive for Leishmania parasites via direct parasitological method. Nested-PCR method revealed all the patients were infected with L. major (94.1%) and mixed infection of L. major and Leishmania turanica (5.9%), and great gerbil specimens were infected with either L. major (44.4%), L. turanica (5.6%), or Leishmania gerbilli (5.6%) and also with mixed infection of L. major and L. turanica (30.5%), L. major and L. gerbilli (8.3%) and mix of all the three Leishmania species (5.6%). Conclusion: The identical sequences of L. major in both human patients and rodents indicate that the great gerbils are the main reservoirs of L. major in Varzaneh City. The presence of L. turanica in patients would be of interest to carry out further studies to determine the role of this species in the persistence, signs, and treatment of ZCL in humans. Copyright © 2024 The Authors.
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