Molecular Identification of <i>Leishmania</i> Species in Kurdistan Province, Western Iran

Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is regarded as one of the critical public health problems in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Iran. About 20000 annual cases of CL are registered in Iran. Considering the increasing numbers of this parasitic infection in Iran, this study aimed to discover the frequency of CL in western Iran, Kurdistan province, through molecular investigation. Methods: First, 59 previously confirmed CL-stained Giemsa specimens were examined by two different microscopists, and then polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed using two sets of primers (LinR4 and Lin17) to identify the conserved gene region of 18s rRNA for Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. Results: Of 59 swab slides, 56 were positive and 3 were negative by the molecular method. Overall, 38 (67.9%, including 35 males and 3 females) and 18 (32.1%, including 18 males) specimens were recognized as L. major and L. tropica, respectively. Those aged 21–30 had the highest incidence of infection (44.64%). In general, 62.5% and 37.5% of people lived in urban and rural areas, respectively. Employees had the highest rate of infection (39.28%). Most cases (12.42 %) had traveled to Mehran (Ilam-Iraq border). Conclusion: According to the current study, anthroponotic and zoonotic CL is widespread in Kurdistan province. Due to traveling to near borders and endemic areas, there is always a potential risk of spreading this disease. Therefore, disease control planning and continuous monitoring of new cases should always be taken into consideration.