Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), endemic in Shiraz, Iran, is caused by (zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, ZCL) and (anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, ACL). This study investigated transmission drivers, including sand fly vectors, zoonotic and environmental factors, and the genetic diversity of . A total of 1029 sand flies were collected indoors and outdoors in Shiraz from August to October using sticky traps. Samples from patient lesions ( = 30) and pooled female sand flies ( = 40 pools) were examined by microscopy and screened by PCR targeting kDNA and ITS2 genes. Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses were conducted based on ITS2 sequences. The sand fly fauna was dominated by (53.8%) and (38.7%). PCR detected DNA in 80% of pools and both species in pools; however, molecular detection alone does not confirm vector competence. All patient samples were confirmed positive for CL. ITS2 sequencing identified 22 haplotypes among strains, 20 of which were detected in Iran, indicating relatively high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.74). A dominant ancestral haplotype was shared across Asia, Africa, and Europe. These findings suggest that ZCL transmission in Shiraz is likely associated with peridomestic sand flies ( and ) and environmental conditions that may facilitate transmission. Iran accounted for 91% of the identified haplotypes in this dataset, highlighting its substantial contribution to regional ITS2 diversity. Continued vector surveillance and improved environmental management may support more effective control strategies.
BT - Parasite epidemiology and control C1 -https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41800278
DA - 05/2026 DO - 10.1016/j.parepi.2026.e00487 J2 - Parasite Epidemiol Control LA - ENG M3 - Article N2 -Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), endemic in Shiraz, Iran, is caused by (zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, ZCL) and (anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis, ACL). This study investigated transmission drivers, including sand fly vectors, zoonotic and environmental factors, and the genetic diversity of . A total of 1029 sand flies were collected indoors and outdoors in Shiraz from August to October using sticky traps. Samples from patient lesions ( = 30) and pooled female sand flies ( = 40 pools) were examined by microscopy and screened by PCR targeting kDNA and ITS2 genes. Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses were conducted based on ITS2 sequences. The sand fly fauna was dominated by (53.8%) and (38.7%). PCR detected DNA in 80% of pools and both species in pools; however, molecular detection alone does not confirm vector competence. All patient samples were confirmed positive for CL. ITS2 sequencing identified 22 haplotypes among strains, 20 of which were detected in Iran, indicating relatively high haplotype diversity (Hd = 0.74). A dominant ancestral haplotype was shared across Asia, Africa, and Europe. These findings suggest that ZCL transmission in Shiraz is likely associated with peridomestic sand flies ( and ) and environmental conditions that may facilitate transmission. Iran accounted for 91% of the identified haplotypes in this dataset, highlighting its substantial contribution to regional ITS2 diversity. Continued vector surveillance and improved environmental management may support more effective control strategies.
PY - 2026 SP - 1 EP - 12 T2 - Parasite epidemiology and control TI - Zoonotic transmission and genetic diversity of Leishmania major in Shiraz, Iran: An integrated entomological, clinical, and molecular study UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405673126000127/pdfft?md5=3b69add6a5fa7fe1b3c255d53cf6726a&pid=1-s2.0-S2405673126000127-main.pdf VL - 33 SN - 2405-6731 ER -