Molecular characterization of cutaneous leishmaniasis isolated from human in Erbil Province-Kurdistan Region Iraq

Abstract EN

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease of public health problem in Erbil Province, Kurdistan Region/ Iraq.

The identification of the parasite species causing these diseases is a pre-requisite for understanding disease epidemiology.

In the current study a higher rate of infection was found in males than females (60.34% versus 39.66%).

Most lesions were found on upper limbs (41.38%), while lower rates were found in the legs (24.14%).

Regarding age, the highest rate (27.59%) of infections was observed in the age group 1-9 years, while the lowest rate infections (13.79%) were observed in the age group over 40years.

Regarding the residency, the overall rate of CL in the inhabitants of the rural area was higher as compared to that of urban inhabitants.

The polymerase chain reaction products were sequenced and further examined by sequence analysis, 33 isolates, independent of the host, exhibited L.

tropica while in 15 samples, Nucleotide substitution generate polymorphism at position 132 nucleotide (C-G), Furthermore, ten human samples have more than one nucleotide substitution (G to T) at positions 246 and 276 and G to A at position 281.

The sequencing of the PCR products recognized 3 haplotypes, which are not described in Kurdistan Region and Iraq.

Thus, monitoring of CL and sustained surveillance system is crucial in counteracting the disease, and if possible, to control it.