Molecular characterization of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah province, western Saudi Arabia.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease affecting a large number of people worldwide. In this study we carried out the molecular characterization of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Province, Saudi Arabia, confirming Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica as the prevalent species using molecular techniques.

Methods: One hundred and five patients with suspected CL were identified from four different localities in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah Province and Al-Miqat Hospital, Al-Madinah, Saudi Arabia. Thirty-four of the 105 patients were selected at random for molecular investigation.

Results: Characterization of CL species by internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) PCR established L. major and L. tropica as the causative organisms. kDNA PCR had a sensitivity of 90.7%, whereas ITS1 PCR had a sensitivity of 70.1%, thus facilitating the diagnosis and species identification. Parasite culture alone detected 39.2% and smear alone 55.3% of the positive samples. With the exception of kDNA PCR, all other assays were 100% specific.

Conclusions: This study provides the first findings for the comprehensive molecular characterization of CL in Saudi Arabia.