Identification of Leishmania species isolated from cutaneous leishmaniasis using molecular techniques in some provinces of Iraq

Abstract

Objectives: To detect Leishmania species in selected regions in Iraq.
Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to March 2022 at Al-Hashimyah General
Hospital in Babylon province, and Al Diwaniya Education Hospital in AL-Qadisiah province of Iraq. The sample
comprised patients with lesions suggestive of cutaneous leishmaniasis, as assessed by dermatologists. Direct smear
was used for parasitological examination by lesion aspiration. Molecular technique was used for the characterisation
of parasite genus and species. Positive direct smear specimens were analysed by nested-polymerase chain reaction
using internal transcribed spacer-1 ribosomal ribonucleic acid gene.
Results: Of the 120 specimens tested, 100(83.33%) tested positive; 59(59%) males and 41(41%) females. Most of the
infections were leishmania major 92(92%), followed by leishmania tropica 8(8%). There were 80(80%) dry lesions and
20(20%) wet.
Conclusions: Cutaneous leishmaniasis were mostly of tropica and major varieties in the studied areas.
Keywords: Parasites, Dermatologists, Genes, rRNA, Cutaneous, Leishmania, Polymerase DNA.