Genetic polymorphisms and drug susceptibility in four isolates of Leishmania tropica obtained from Canadian soldiers returning from Afghanistan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a vector-borne parasitic disease characterized by the presence of one or more lesions on the skin that usually heal spontaneously after a few months. Most cases of CL worldwide occur in Southwest Asia, Africa and South America, and a number of cases have been reported among troops deployed to Afghanistan. No vaccines are available against this disease, and its treatment relies on chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to characterize parasites isolated from Canadian soldiers at the molecular level and to determine their susceptibility profile against a panel of antileishmanials to identify appropriate therapies.

Methodology/principal findings

Parasites were isolated from skin lesions and characterized as Leishmania tropica based on

SUBMITTER: Plourde M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3260320 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature