Isolation and Characterization of Leishmania Major from Phlebotomus Papatasi andMilitary Personnel in North Sinai, Egypt

摘要

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) was repeatedly diagnosed among members of theMultinational Forces and Observers (MFO) in the north Sinai. Leishmania parasites were isolated from both sandflies and suspected human cases of (CL). This study revealed that Phlebotomus papatasi is the only man-biting species in this area. Leishmania parasites produced lesions in the footpads of BALB/c mice, their excretory factor (EF) gave the serotype A1B2, and each isolate yielded isoenzyme profiles identical to those of the L. major reference strain. This is the first report of repeated, concurrent isolation of L. major from both sandflies and humans in Egypt. Cutaneous leishmaniasis, Diagnosis, Leishmania major, Phlebotomus papatasi, MFO personnel, North Sinai, Egypt.