Geographical and Molecular Analysis of Haplotype Variations in Leishmania major Among Infected Iranian Phlebotomus papatasi.

Purpose: Leishmania major is main causative agent and Phlebotomus papatasi is only proven vector of Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis (ZCL) in Iran. Human leishmaniasis is mostly susceptible to climatic conditions and molecular variations of Leishmania parasites within sandflies.

Methods: L.

The existence of only one haplotype of Leishmania major in the main and potential reservoir hosts of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis using different molecular markers in a focal area in Iran.

Introduction: Leishmania major is the causative agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL), and great gerbils are the main reservoir hosts in Iran. Abarkouh in central Iran is an emerging focal point for which the reservoir hosts of ZCL are unclear. This research project was designed to detect any Leishmania parasites in different wild rodent species.