Molecular Identification and Phylogenetic Analysis of Isolated from Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Foci in Northeast Iran.

Background: Epidemiological studies, classification and genetic studies of species are effective in treatment, control and prevention in endemic areas. We aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and phylogeny of in Zoonotic foci located in northeastern Iran using gene for the first time.

Methods: DNA of 100 confirmed positive slides collected from the health centers of Sarkhes, Darghez, Fariman, Esfarayen, and Sabzevar were extracted during 2020-2021. The partial sequence of kDNA was amplified to identify the species. Twenty-five DNA samples were randomly subjected to amplify by gene primes and were sequenced. The sequences were aligned with reference sequences in National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Then, the genetic similarities of the sequences were checked using Clustalx2.1 software and the phylogenetic tree was drawn by Mega 7 software.

Results: All the positive samples were diagnosed as . Approximately, half of the sequences of species were similar to two reference genes JX103550.1:404-712 Esfahan and KX759012.1:568-807 Ilam (more than 90% similarity). According to the results of the phylogeny tree, the closest genotype to our study samples was JX103550.1:404-712 Esfahan.

Conclusion: The most causative agent CL in these areas was . The genetic diversity of was high such as other zoonotic foci in Iran. Due to the high similarity of the strains in the study areas with the strains of Isfahan and Ilam, similar control and prevention methods is suggested in these areas.