Abstract
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.
Highlights
Leishmaniasis refers to a group of disease which is caused by human pathogens
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
The highest frequency of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) was reported in 1-15 age groups (48.50%), and others were observed in 16-40 age groups (41%) and over 40 age groups (10.50%)
Summary
Leishmaniasis refers to a group of disease which is caused by human pathogens. Rodents are the largest group of animals with the population greater than other mammals in the world; which are the reservoir of many pathogens [2]. This disease has been expanding throughout its geographical regions. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is reported in many rural areas of 17 provinces from Iran [3]. 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
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