Author/Authors :
MOGHADDAS, Elham Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , FATA, Abdolmajid Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , ZAREAN, Mehdi Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , DERAKHSHANI, Majid Dept. of Microbiology - School of Medicine - Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran , FAKHAR, Mahdi Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran , SHAMSIAN, Aliakbar Dept. of Parasitology and Mycology - School of Medicine - Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), so-called Kala-azar is a life threating parasitic infectious disease caused by Leishmania spp. L. infantum is the main causative agent for Mediterranean form of Kala-azar which is endemic in northeastern Iran. This study attempted to investigate existence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Khorasan Razavi.
Methods: Between 2014 and 2016, tissue samples collected from spleen and liver of 192 stray dogs were exam-ined to investigate existence of L. infantum. Kinetoplast DNA (k-DNA) PCR was performed to identify the spe-cies of parasites. The positive PCR products were sequenced in both directions to confirm the kDNA PCR re-sults
Results: Among samples obtained from 192 dogs, kinetoplast DNA of L. infantum was detected in two female dogs. L. infantum was confirmed by sequence analysis of PCR products.
Conclusion: Our data confirm stray dogs play as potential reservoirs for VL in this province. Further investiga-tion will be necessary to clear role of stray dogs in the transmission of L. infantum to human and domestic dogs.
Keywords :
Leishmania infantum , Dogs , kDNA , PCR , Iran
