Int. J. One Health Vol.5 Article-7
Research Article
International Journal of One Health, 5: 49-53
https://doi.org/10.14202/IJOH.2019.49-53
Epidemiological aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Southwest of Iran
2. Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
3. Department of Public Health, School of Public Health, Ardabil University of Medical Science, Ardabil, Iran.
4. Isfahan Health Research Station, National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
5. Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
6. The Persian Gulf Tropical Medicine Research Center, the Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
Background and Aim: Zoonotic rodents (Rodentia: Muridae: Gerbillinae) and Phlebotominae sand flies are the major reservoir hosts and vectors of Leishmania major causing zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, respectively. This study was carried out to evaluate the epidemiological aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Tangestan County, Southwest Iran.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on human cases, probable reservoirs, and vectors of CL at Tangestan County in 2017. The data of patients were taken on health centers and analyzed. To determination faunistic of sand flies, they were collected using sticky paper traps and identified using identification keys. The rodent samples were captured using Sherman live traps and determined for amastigote infection.
Results: A total of 436 cases occurred during 2005-2017 and the incidence rate of disease was 0.2-12/100,000 people. Six species of sand flies including three species of Phlebotomus and three species of Sergentomyia including Phlebotomus papatasi, Phlebotomus sergenti, Phlebotomus alexandri, Sergentomyia tiberiadis, Sergentomyia baghdadis, and Sergentomyia clydei were identified. From 185 trapped rodents, 9 species were identified. We founded, 2 out of 132 Tatera indica (1.53%) were positive with Leishmania spp. using the microscopic method.
Conclusion: According to the existence of human leishmaniasis cases as a host, T. indica with high abundance and infected to Leishmania as a reservoir, and existence of P. papatasi with high abundance as a suspected vector of disease; there is a potential for transmission of disease in the area. Design of exact control and prevention strategies is highly recommended. Keywords: cutaneous leishmaniasis, Iran, rodents, sand flies.
Keywords: cutaneous leishmaniasis, Iran, rodents, sand flies.
How to cite this article: Darvishi M, Saghafipour A, Moradi-Asl E, Jafari R, Sadati SJA, Darabi H. Epidemiological aspects of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Southwest of Iran. Int J One Health 2019:5:49-53.
Received: 12-01-2019 Accepted: 15-05-2019 Published online: 03-06-2019
Corresponding author: Abedin Saghafipour E-mail: abed.saghafi@yahoo.com
DOI: 10.14202/IJOH.2019.49-53
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