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.

Detection and differentiation of Leishmania parasites in asymptomatic canine by High-Resolution Melting analysis of microsatellite fragment in ITS gene.

The high prevalence of Leishmania infection was reported in dogs as the main reservoir of CanL in many locations in the old world. Detection and firmly identification of Leishmania species in asymptomatic dogs by reliable method was considered and employed. Non-invasive and non-anesthetized blood sampling in asymptomatic dogs was conducted.

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.