Conventional and ITS1 Gene-PCR Studies on Suspected Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients Referred to Different Public Health Hospitals in Quetta, Pakistan.
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Zoology, University of Balochistan, Quetta, Pakistan.
- 2Center of Advanced Studies in Vaccinology and Biotechnology, University of Balochistan (UOB), Quetta, Pakistan.
- 3Bolan Medical Complex Hospital, Quetta, Pakistan.
- 4Department of Chemistry, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan.
Abstract
Background
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that remains endemic in several areas of Balochistan Province, including Quetta city. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional and molecular diagnostic methods for the detection and identification of CL.Methods
Overall, 100 suspected patients were examined using conventional techniques, including microscopy, culture, and histopathology during 2024-2025, from various public hospitals of Quetta city, Pakistan. In molecular methods ITS1 gene was used to detect Leishmania on species level. Specific primers of ITS1 gene were used to amplify the targeted regions.Results
Microscopy and PCR amplification of the ITS1 gene confirmed CL infection in 86% of cases, Culture techniques yielded promastigote growth in 16 samples, while 14 slides showed histopathological effects, indicating comparatively lower detection rates. Molecular characterization through ITS1 sequencing revealed that the isolates shared a 99% and 100% similarity with Leishmania tropica. Phylogenetic analysis further supported this relationship, confirming the predominance of this species in the study area.Conclusion
The findings highlight the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods and focus on the implication of molecular methods, particularly PCR, for exact and early detection of CL on species-level, which is critical for effective disease management and control strategies in endemic regions like Quetta. Other demographic characteristics such as gender, age, education status, and site of lesions were also recorded.
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BibTeX
@article{mohsin2026conventional,
title = {{Conventional and ITS1 Gene-PCR Studies on Suspected Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients Referred to Different Public Health Hospitals in Quetta, Pakistan.}},
author = {Asia Ali Mohsin and Mahrukh Naseem and Imran Taj and Yasmeen Lashari and Kamran Ali and Arifa Bibi},
journal = {Iranian journal of parasitology},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.18502/ijpa.v21i3.22592},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42974181},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Conventional and ITS1 Gene-PCR Studies on Suspected Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Patients Referred to Different Public Health Hospitals in Quetta, Pakistan.
AU - Asia Ali Mohsin
AU - Mahrukh Naseem
AU - Imran Taj
AU - Yasmeen Lashari
AU - Kamran Ali
AU - Arifa Bibi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/01
JO - Iranian journal of parasitology
DO - 10.18502/ijpa.v21i3.22592
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42974181
AB - Background Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a neglected tropical disease that remains endemic in several areas of Balochistan Province, including Quetta city. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional and molecular diagnostic methods for the detection and identification of CL.Methods Overall, 100 suspected patients were examined using conventional techniques, including microscopy, culture, and histopathology during 2024-2025, from various public hospitals of Quetta city, Pakistan. In molecular methods ITS1 gene was used to detect Leishmania on species level. Specific primers of ITS1 gene were used to amplify the targeted regions.Results Microscopy and PCR amplification of the ITS1 gene confirmed CL infection in 86% of cases, Culture techniques yielded promastigote growth in 16 samples, while 14 slides showed histopathological effects, indicating comparatively lower detection rates. Molecular characterization through ITS1 sequencing revealed that the isolates shared a 99% and 100% similarity with Leishmania tropica. Phylogenetic analysis further supported this relationship, confirming the predominance of this species in the study area.Conclusion The findings highlight the limitations of conventional diagnostic methods and focus on the implication of molecular methods, particularly PCR, for exact and early detection of CL on species-level, which is critical for effective disease management and control strategies in endemic regions like Quetta. Other demographic characteristics such as gender, age, education status, and site of lesions were also recorded.
SN - 1735-7020
SN - 2008-238X
ER -