History and Objectives: Due to augmented spread of visceral Leishmaniasis in Kashan and reported cases of Leishmaniasis in rodents, an epidemiological investigation of Leishmanial infection in rodents was conducted in the desert region of Kashan in 1995.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study was carried out on wild rodents caught alive in the region. Tissue samples were taken from animal’s ear and slides were prepared for staining. Slides were studied for Leishmanial infection. In order to extrapolate the prevalence rate among rodent population, statistical method of confidence interval was performed.

Results: From 376 traps, 121 small rodents belonging to six various species were caught. The majority of which classified as Rhombomys opimus 60.3% (73) and Meriones libycus 33.9% (41). Small number of other species belonging to Meriones vingradovi (4), Gerbillus nanusa (1) Gerbillus chesmane (1) and Rattus rattus (1) were caught. Leishmanial infection were only detected in R.opimus species. Samples taken from one ear or both from 23 R.opimus (31.5%) were infected. Minimal and maximal rate infection among Rhombomya were 20.8% and 42.1% respectively.

Conclusion: In light of high incidence of Leishmanial infection among R.opimus, more research ought to be conducted and control measures should be taken to limit the reinfection of visceral Leishmaniasis from rodent to human.