CL Comparative Study between Classical and Molecular Methods in Diagnosis of Leishmania Species in Iraq

Background and Objective: Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) remains a serious public health concern in some parts of Iraq. The aims of this study to diagnose the Leishmania sp. causative agent of CL in some parts of Iraq, by different parasitological, cultural, and molecular methods. It was carried during the period October 2014 to February 2015. Materials and Methods: One hundred-sixty one of skin samples were examined by direct Giemsa-smeared, culture on NNN medium and Nested – PCR methods in different age groups. Results: The results of our study showed that 110 (68.3%) gave positives by Giemsa-smeared, 104 (64.6%) by culture and 67 (100%) by Nested – PCR. Our results appeared that there was slight gender predilection ; CL cases were more frequent in males (62.1%) than females (37.9%). Also, the type of infection showed that disease was in wet type 133(82.6%) more than in dry type 28 (17.4%). It was found that 98 (60.9%) of CL cases were in contact with rodents while 63(39.1%) of cases were not. Conclusions: CL disease is endemic in many parts of Iraq with high incidence and expanding to new foci that is considered a public health threat which needs special attention.