Molecular diagnosis and transmission dynamic of cutaneous leishmaniasis during war crisis and displacement in Kurdistan-Iraq

Aims: This study aims to determine the dynamic of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) transmission from endemic to non- endemic areas during the war and crises and determine the genetic characterization of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Kurdistan, Iraq.<br /> Methodology and results: The data were collected from the control and prevention unit of the Sulaimani Health Directorate and the samples were taken from suspected patients in the Skin Disease Hospital, Sulaimani. The DNA was extracted from all samples and two sets of primers were used to find the genotyping and molecular characterization of the CL. A total of 1334 cases were enrolled in this study and the infected persons ranged from 1 to 90 years old. Most cases, 1050(78.7%) were recorded among the age group lower than 40; 1251 cases (93.7%) were found in rural and suburban areas of Kfry and Kalar with their surroundings. Cases with multiple lesions constituted 54.3%. The molecular results show that all samples belong to cutaneous Leishmania central with a slight genetic variation.<br /> Conclusion, significance and impact of study: This research enforces the potentially increased risks for leishmaniasis incidence in those regions of high conflict and settled down immigrated people. Also, our results concluded that CL is a crucial health problem in the Sulaimani governorate, especially in Kfry and Kalar. The molecular characterization shows that most CL belongs to the cutaneous Leishmania major.