Identification of Leishmania tropica from micro-foci of cutaneous leishmaniasis in the Kenyan Rift Valley

Pathog Glob Health. 2012 Jul;106(3):159-65. doi: 10.1179/2047773212Y.0000000015.

Abstract

We performed diagnosis and species identification of parasites in lesion samples from suspected cutaneous leishmaniasis patients in four villages, three of which are in a known Leishmania tropica endemic region in Kenya. Samples were analyzed both by microscopy and PCR for Leishmania, and typed by an assay using four ribosomal DNA-based species-identification PCRs. The lesions were demonstrated to be caused by L. tropica, which confirms the re-emergence of cutaneous leishmaniasis from this species after a period of reduced incidence in the endemic zone. Our report highlights the importance of an intervention and sustained Leishmania control program.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Base Sequence
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Kenya / epidemiology
  • Leishmania tropica / classification
  • Leishmania tropica / genetics
  • Leishmania tropica / isolation & purification*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / epidemiology*
  • Leishmaniasis, Cutaneous / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Microscopy
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Rural Population
  • Skin / parasitology
  • Skin / pathology

Substances

  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal