BackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis is a disease transmitted by sand fly bites. This disease is highly prevalent in Syria where Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica are the known aetiological agents. In 2011, more than 58,000 cases were reported in the country by the Ministry of Health. The central region of the country harbors 20 % of the reported cases. However, the epidemiology of the disease in this area is not well understood. An epidemiological survey was conducted in 2010 to identity the circulating parasite and the sand fly vector in the central provinces of Edlib and Hama.MethodsSand fly specimens were collected using CDC light traps and identified morphologically. Total DNA was extracted from the abdomens of female specimens and from Giemsa-stained skin lesion smears of 80 patients. Leishmania parasites were first identified by sequencing the ITS1 gene amplicons. Then polymorphism analysis was performed using the RFLP technique.ResultsA total of 2142 sand flies were collected. They belonged to eight species, among which Phlebotomus sergenti and Phlebotomus papatasi were the most predominant.L. tropica ITS1 gene was amplified from two pools of P. sergenti specimens and from skin smears of cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. This suggests that P. sergenti is the potential vector species in the study area. The digestion profiles of the obtained amplicons by TaqI restriction enzyme were identical for all analysed L. tropica parasites. Moreover, L. infantum ITS1 gene was amplified from two pools of Phlebotomus tobbi in the relatively humid zone of Edlib.ConclusionsL. tropica is confirmed to be the aetiological agent of cutaneous leishmaniasis cases in the central provinces. RFLP technique failed to show any genetic heterogeneity in the ITS1 gene among the tested parasites. The molecular detection of this parasite in human skin smears and in P. sergenti supports the vector status of this species in the study area. The detection of L. infantum in P. tobbi specimens indicates a potential circulation of this parasite in the humid zone of Edlib. Further epidemiological studies are needed to evaluate the burden of this visceral parasite in the study region.

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Monitoring parasitic contamination in raw vegetables used in salads is an important measure in controlling the occurrence of gastroenterological diseases, which may be life-threatening. This study aimed to inspect the parasitological contamination of some raw vegetables used in salads. Eight commonly consumed vegetable types were purchased from street vendors in the city markets. Vegetables were washed and the sediments were obtained for microscopic examination. Genomic DNA was isolated from contaminated samples. Our result showed that 34.4% of the studied samples were contaminated with one or more species of parasites. Lettuce was the most commonly contaminated vegetable type (29.5%), while tarragon leaves showed the lowest level of contamination (2.3%). The risk of contamination was significantly higher in lettuce samples in comparison with the other samples studied. Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent parasite detected (38.6%) and was abundantly found in lettuce isolates (23.5%). Molecular typing revealed that all Giardia samples found in the contaminated specimens belonged to Assemblage B. Blastocystis spp. were the second most prevalent parasite in samples (29.5%), they were frequently detected in lettuce leaves (30.8%). Other parasites were found in low frequencies. The high level of parasitic contamination found in our study indicates an urgent need to identify the sources of contamination and to monitor irrigation water and ensure its cleanliness.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is an endemic disease and a public health problem in Hama governorate located in the central region of Syria. The aim of this study was to characterize Leishmania species isolated from human skin samples. A polymerase chain reaction, restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay, was performed on skin lesion material samples from 32 patients with confirmed CL by direct microscopic examination in order to prove its usefulness and efficiency for identification of Leishmania species. Leishmania tropica (L. tropica) is confirmed as an etiologic agent of CL in this area.

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