Human Cutaneous leishmaniasis (HCL), Human Visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and Canine Visceral leishmaniasis (CanVL) is a emerging problem in southern part of Turkey, with a steady increase in HCL, HVL and CanVL prevalence due to the global warming and influx of Syrian refugees.

This study conducted in Çukurova region located in Turkey, aimed to find out the prevalence of HCL, HVL and CanVL. Blood specimens obtained from suspected HVL and CanVL cases (80 human and 244 canine) were examined using microscopy, recombinant antigen dipstick test (rK39), and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS 1) PCR followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Smear specimens obtained from suspected HCL cases (332 human) were examined using microscopy and ITS 1-PCR RFLP.

Smears 21% (70/332) and blood samples 5% (4/80) and blood samples 9% (22/244) were positive for HCL, HVL and Can VL, respectively. HCL caused by L. tropica, L. infantum, and L. major. HVL caused by L. infantum, L. tropica and L. donovani. In addition CanVL caused by L. infantum in Çukurova region is described. Phlebotomus tobbi, Phlebotomus papatasi and Phlebotomus sergenti species found as Leishmaniasis vectors in Çukurova region.

As a result the number of leishmaniasis is increasing globally at an alarming rate irrespective of the region and the leishmaniasis is amongst the top emergent diseases in spite of control measures. Leishmaniasis have expanded beyond their natural ecotypes due to the ecological change caused by human and this in turn affects the levels of his exposure to the vectors.