MONTHLY VARIATION O F LEISHMANIA MAJOR MON-26 INFECTION RATES IN PHLEBOTOMUS PAPATASI (DIPTRA : PSYCHODIDAE) FROM RODENT BURROWS IN BADROOD AREA OF IRAN

Following an epidemiological survey of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniosis (ZCL) in some villages of Badrood, a rural district north of the city of Natanz, central Iran, Phlebotomus (Phlebotomus ) papatasi Scopoli were found to be naturally infected with Leishmania (Leishmania) major zymodeme MON-26. Sandflies were collected and dissected biweekly from rodent burrows during sandfly season, April- October 1998. Leptomonad infection rates varied between 6.7-22.0% during sandfly season, being greatest in September, coinciding with peak activity of P papatasi, 2-3 months before the highest incidence of ZCL human cases in November-December. Leptomonad infection rate was 1.1 % in 94 P papatasi indoors.