C. Sanchez-tejeda et al., Cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by members of Leishmania braziliensis complex in Nayarit, State of Mexico, MEM I OSW C, 96(1), 2001, pp. 15-19
An epidemiological study was carried out in the northern Mexican state, Nay
arit. Fourteen patients with possible cutaneous leishmaniasis skin lesions
gave positive Montenegro skin tests. Biopsies were taken from the skin ulce
r and analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers for
the Leishmania mexicana complex, however all biopsies were not amplified.
PCR carried out with specific primers for the L. braziliensis complex resul
ted in the amplification of all patient DNA. DNA from 12 out of 14 biopsies
gave positive amplification with primers species specific for L. (Viannia)
braziliensis and hybridized with a species specific L. (V.) braziliensis p
robe. These results demonstrate the presence in Nayarit of at least two mem
bers of the L. (V.) braziliensis complex. Most of the cutaneous lesion were
caused by L. (V.) braziliensis and two by another species belonging to the
L. braziliensis complex. As far as we are aware, this is the first report
of L. (V.) braziliensis in Nayarit. The main risk factor associated with th
e contraction of this disease in Nayarit is attributed to working on coffee
plantations.