Comparative Study Between Classical and Molecular Methods in Diagnosis of Leishmania Species in Iraq Publisher



Ali MA^{1, 2} ; Khamesipour A¹ ; Rahi AA³ ; Mohebali M^{4, 5} ; Akhavan AA⁶ Show Affiliations
Source: Journal of Men's Health Published:2018

Abstract

Background and Objective Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a serious public health concern in some parts of Iraq. The aims of this study to diagnose the Leishmania sp. causative agent of CL in some parts of Iraq, by different parasitological, cultural, and molecular methods. It was carried during the period October 2014 to February 2015. Materials and Methods One-hundred sixty-one skin samples were examined by direct Giemsa-smeared culture on NNN medium and Nested - PCR methods in different age groups. Results The results of our study showed that 110 (68.3%) gave positives by Giemsa-smeared, 104 (64.6%) culture and 67 (100%) by Nested - PCR. Our results appeared that there was slight gender predilection; CL cases were more frequent in males (62.1%) than females (37.9%). Also, the type of infection showed that disease was in wet type 133(82.6%) more than in dry type 28 (17.4%). It was found that 98 (60.9%) of CL cases had previous contact with rodents while 63(39.1%) of cases had not. Comparative Study between Classical and Molecular Methods in Diagnosis of Leishmania Species in Iraq e70 Conclusions CL disease is endemic in many parts of Iraq with high incidence and expanding to new foci that is considered a public health threat which needs special attention. Women appeared to be better equipped than men to contain the infection and its clinical consequences, but the sex factor tended to lessen at higher levels of exposure. © 2018 Ali et al.