Isolation of Leishmania Turanica from Phlebotomus Papatasi Using ITS1 Sequencing at Zoonotic Cutaneous Leishmanianisis Focus in Damghan, Semnan Province

L.turanica is isolated from Phlebotomus Papatasi and rodents, and its pathogenetic role in humans is not clear yet. This study aimed at determining the infection of sand flies to L.turanica in rural parts of Damghan. Sand flies were collected by sticky papers. After the identification of female specimens, their DNA was extracted and Conventional PCR technique using specific primers of ITS1 was used to search for L.turanica. Products of PCR were sequenced and analyzed with Blast software. Two hundred and eighteen specimens of female P.papatasi were examined for Leishmania infection. One out of 218 females (0.5%) was positive to L.turanica. This is the first report of natural infection of P.papatasi due L.turanica in Semnan Province and the second in Iran. Pathogenesis of L.turanica is not clear on human, but, this parasite is pathogenic in laboratory mice. Furthermore, mix synchronized infection of rodents to L.major and L.turanica aggravates pathogenetic effect of L.major. Immunity of some people to Cutaneous Leishmanianisis in endemic areas can be due to the exposure to L.turanica and this can be a suitable candidate for vaccine investigations against cutaneous leishmaniasis.