Leishmania infection sought in rodents in north Sinai, Egypt.

Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) is endemic in certain foci in North Sinai. In the present study, eight species of commensal and wild rodents were trapped from seven areas. Suggestive ZCL lesions were seen on R. rattus, R. norvegicus, G. pyramidum, G. ander soni, G. gerbillus and Meriones sacramenti. Positive Giemsa stained smears were identified in G. pyramidum. The results were discussed. It was concluded that the ZCL transmission cycle, animal reservoirs, sand fly vector and man, is documented.