Search

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) or Kala-azar is an important parasitic diseases caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania including L. donovani, L. infantum. Epidemiological evidences show that VL is frequently common in some areas of Jahrom district in Fars Province. This study aimed to characterize the causative agent of VL in this region. Materials and Methods: Bone marrow sample was obtained from 16 VL patients from Pediatric hospital in Jahrom town. DNA was extracted from the microscopic slides and checked by specific PCR to find out the species of the parasite. To do it, a segment of minicirclekinetoplast DNA was amplified, using LINR4 and LIN17 primers. Products of PCR were evaluated by electrophoresis, using 1.5% agarose. Results: Anti-leishmania antibody was detected in all patients by IFAT. Examination of bone marrow smears demonstrated numerous amastigotes ofLeishmania (Leishman bodies) in the samples. All the samples produced a 720 bp band in PCR assay. The isolates were compared with reference strains and revealed that all the isolates are L. infantum. Conclusion: Our findings showed that species characterization with one-step PCR by L1N17 and L1NR4 is simple and fast; it was also confirmed that the causative agent of VL in Jahrom is L. infantum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Leishman Denovani is an obligatory intracellular parasite that is seen such as Leishmanbody or Amustigote in intra reticolo- endothelial system. Leishmanenios is seen as sporadic- endemic or epidemic in many places in the world. In Iran in Fars state and west Azarbayjan is endemic and in other places are in sporadic form and is found in rural areas. Case report: A four year-old girl was admitted with visceral Leishmaniasis and Subsequently developed peritoneal tuberculosis. The patient who lived in Dashte- Moghan, complained of abdominal pain and distention and weight loss from 1.5 years ago. The titre of IFA test for leishmansis was 1/1280 . Leishman body was seen in bone marrow aspiration specimen. Bone marrow culture for leishmania was negative. The specimen of acsities fluid revealed sero- fibrino- purulent exudate with lymphocyic dominancy (over 90%). No response to classic lishmanisis treatment had been started unless the patient treated with anti tuberculoid regimen. Conclusion: The function of the T- helper (Tht) lymphocytes will decrease in Kala-azar disease. This is why there is no skin reaction to Manteaux (PPD) diagnostic test the patient. The patient have been suffering from long-term malnutrition with its consequent immune defect. There was no evidences of cure in our patient during classic Kala-azar therapy. After she received anti tuberculosis therapy she revealed clinical improvement with Glucantim regimen as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]