Multilocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT) of Strains from Turkey and Cyprus Reveals a Novel Monophyletic L. donovani Sensu Lato Group

In eastern Mediterranean, leishmaniasis represents a major public health problem with considerable impact on morbidity and potential to spread. Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) caused by L. major or L. tropica accounts for most cases in this region although visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by L. infantum is also common. New foci of human CL caused by L. donovani complex strains were recently described in Cyprus and Turkey. Herein we analyzed Turkish strains from human CL foci in Çukurova region (north of Cyprus) and a human VL case in Kuşadasi. These were compared to Cypriot strains that were previously typed by Multilocus Enzyme Electrophoresis (MLEE) as L. donovani MON-37. Nevertheless, they were found genetically distinct from MON-37 strains of other regions and therefore their origin remained enigmatic. A population study was performed by Multilocus Microsatellite Typing (MLMT) and the profile of the Turkish strains was compared to previously analyzed L. donovani complex strains. Our results revealed close genetic relationship between Turkish and Cypriot strains, which form a genetically distinct L. infantum monophyletic group, suggesting that Cypriot strains may originate from Turkey. Our analysis indicates that the epidemiology of leishmaniasis in this region is more complicated than originally thought

The determination of species and genotypes of Leishmania spp. using PCR-RFLP assays in clinical samples of patients and reservoirs in Turkey

56th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Tropical-Medicine-and-Hygiene -- NOV 04-08, 2007 -- Philadelphia, PAWOS: 000250758200148Amer Soc Trop Med & Hy

Is phlebotomus halepensis natural vector of Leishmania tropica? A parasitological survey in a new cutaneous leishmaniasis focus in central anatolia of Turkey

56th Annual Meeting of the American-Society-of-Tropical-Medicine-and-Hygiene -- NOV 04-08, 2007 -- Philadelphia, PAWOS: 000250758201251Amer Soc Trop Med & Hy

Differentiation of Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba dispar by PCR: a preliminary study in Izmir, Turkey

WOS: 000244261100006PubMed ID: 17319599The causative agent of amoebiasis is currently attributed to two distinct species (E.histolytica and E.dispar). The aim of this study was to differentiate these species by PCR in stool samples. Isolated genomic DNA was amplified by PCR and band products of 101 by (E. dispar) were obtained. All seven stool samples were found to be E. disbar, not E.histolytica. Our results demonstrated the significance of E.histolytica/dispar differentiation in the diagnosis of amoebiasis. This study is preliminary to our current research project entitled "Investigation of the prevalence of amoebiasis and Entamoeba species in Izmir and its hinterland"