Background: Cutaneous leishmaniasis is a parasitic skin disease that is endemic in many parts of the world, particularly in Iran. Although the microscopic technique is a common method of diagnosis of leishmaniasis, species of leishmania cannot be differentiated by this method. So, molecular methods have special importance.Methods: In this study, kinetoplast-DNA polymerase chain reaction (kDNA-PCR) method was used to diagnose the leishmania species in Dargaz city, Iran. Direct slide smears were obtained from skin lesions of 94 patients suspected to the leishmaniasis referred to health centers of this city. Smears were stained using Gimsa method.PCR method was performed using specific kDNA primers. Data were analyzed using SPSS software.Findings: Among 94 subjects with skin ulcers suspected to cutaneous leishmaniasis, 82 (87.2%) were positive by direct microscopic smear and 85 (90.4%) by PCR in which 22 patients (26%) had Leishmania tropica and 63 (74%) had Leishmania major. Sensitivity and specificity of direct microscopic examination were calculated as 96% and 100%, respectively. There were statistically significant differences between disease occurrence and seasons (P=0.045), habitat (P=0.004), new or old building (new or old) (P=0.003), and distance to rodents' living sites (P=0.025).Conclusion: Dargaz city is a known site of zoonotic leishmaniasis in Iran; but this study shows that there are some new sites of anthroponotic leishmaniasis in this city, too. Leishmania major is the dominant species in Dargaz city but there is Leishmania tropica foci in this area, too.

Background: Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan called Leishmania that is transmitted by sand flies. The aim of this study was to determine the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with cutaneous leishmaniasis in Isfahan province, Iran.Methods: This was a cross-sectional study on all children patients with age of five years and younger in Isfahan province during 2011 to 2015. Demographic and clinical characters of patients were presented as the number and percentage. The mean age of patients according to sex was compared using t test via SPSS software.Findings: Of 1529 patients, 51.8% were boys, 56.0% were in rural areas, and 92.9% were Iranian. The mean age of patients (±SD) was 2.71±1.5 years. The smallest patient was 2 months old. Most of the patients were in the age group of one year (20.4%) and the lowest were in the age group of less than one year (5.6%). Leishmania major was the most common (91.8%) cause of disease. Wound size at 63.37% of patients was more than 2 cm.In 11.2% of patients the number of wounds was equal or more than 4 wound. In children, face was the most common (33.7%) region of wound.Conclusion: Leishmaniasis is endemic in Isfahan province, and children are in high risk for incidence of disease.However, the process for combating the animal reservoirs and mosquito vector should be considered as a priority to control the disease. Furthermore, the facilities should be provided for accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of patients.

A healthy 35-year-old woman presented with a 2 months history of a cauliflower-like lesion on her right hand with no further lesions elsewhere. She declared that the disease began with one slightly elevated erythematous nodule with some exudates on its surface then grew slowly to form this vegetative plaque without any associated symptoms of itching or pain.