Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Multan: species identification
Ayub, S.; Gramiccia, M.; Khalid, M.; Mujtaba, G.; Bhutta, R.A.
Jpma. Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 53(10): 445-447
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0030-9982 PMID: 14696882 Document Number: 565594
Objective: To identify the Leishmania species being responsible for cutaneous leishmaniasis in Multan, Pakistan. Method: Parasites were isolated from clinically and parasitologically confirmed lesions of cutaneous leishmaniasis from 30 patients who presented to the Dermatology Outpatient Department of Nishtar Hospital between December 1999 and March 2000 by fine needle aspiration (FNA). The biopsy materials were then cultured in Evans Tobie's medium and parasites isolated were identified by isoenzyme electrophoresis technique. Results: Successful Leishmania isolates were obtained from 16 patients. All strains were identified by biochemical techniques as belonging to Leishmania tropica zimodeme MON7 variant PGD. Conclusion: The causative species was identified as Leishmania tropica.