Abstract text

Introduction: Leishmaniasis is one of the most common vector-borne parasitic diseases in Iran.

Objective: We systematically searched all the studies, reports, and documentation related to species identification and geographical distribution of causative agents of cutaneous (CL) and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) in Iran.

Methods: International databases were systemically searched for English articles. Searches were performed from 1999 to 2019 (20 years).

Results: In total, 10,586 CL isolates were identified, with two causatives of ZCL (L. major, n = 6,714) and ACL (L. tropica, n = 3,872) being reported in 19 provinces across Iran. In contrast, 542 isolates for VL cases were determined in 11 provinces. The pooled frequency of causative agents of CL isolates was 67.3% for L. major and 32.1% for L. tropica. In addition, the pooled frequency of causative agents of VL isolates was 97.1% for L. infantum and 2.9% for L. tropica.

Conclusion: The findings of this study showed that the main causative agents of CL and VL in Iran are L. major and L. infantum, respectively. The current study provides valuable data to encourage and direct researchers as well as public health managers in the comprehensive leishmaniasis control and prevention planning in Iran. In the end, the issue of the Leishmania RNA virus has become an interesting topic. LRVs exist within many species of the Leishmania isolates. According to evidence, LRV has been detected in L. major, L. tropica and L. infantum in Iran.