To determine whether sandfl y fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) is present in Algeria, we tested sandfl ies for phlebovirus RNA. A sequence closely related to that of SFSV was detected in a Phlebotomus ariasi sandfl y. Of 60 human serum samples, 3 contained immunoglobulin G against SFSV. These data suggest SFSV is present in Algeria.R ecent attention has been drawn to Toscana virus (family Bunyaviridae, genus Phlebovirus, species Sandfl y fever Naples virus) in countries surrounding the Mediterranean because the virus causes meningitis during summer. Sandfl y fever Sicilian virus (SFSV) is a distinct arthropodborne phlebovirus transmitted by sandfl ies, specifi cally by Phlebotomus papatasi (1). It was discovered in Italy (Palerma, Sicilia), where it affected troops of the World War II Allied Army Forces after the Sicily landings in 1943. SFSV infection produces a febrile illness during the warm season; in contrast with Toscana virus infection, SFSV infection is not associated with neurologic manifestations.Human cases of SFSV infection have been reported from Italy, Egypt, Pakistan, Iran, and Cyprus (1,2). Seroprevalence studies performed with human or vertebrate serum indicate that SFSV, or a closely related virus, is circulating in Jordan (3), Israel (4), Sudan (5), Tunisia (6), Pakistan (7), Egypt (8), Bangladesh (9), and Iran (10). The most comprehensive study, initiated by Tesh et al. (11), did not fi nd neutralizing antibodies reactive to SFSV in human serum from the Algerian populations of Tamanrasset and Djanet. Therefore, at the outset of this study, no evidence or data suggested the presence of SFSV in Algeria. The StudyOver a 4-night period in July 2006, a total of 460 sandfl ies were trapped as described (12). Trapping was performed at Larbaa Nath Iraten (previously known as Fort National) in the Kabylian region of Algeria, near Tizi Ouzout (Figure 1). CDC Miniature Light Traps were adapted for sandfl y capture by using an ultrafi ne mesh. Traps were hung 1-2 m above ground. They were placed during late afternoon in or near animal housing facilities (chickens, rabbits, goats, horses). Each morning, sandfl ies were collected, identifi ed morphologically, and placed in 1.5-mL microfuge tubes. Captured sandfl ies belonged to 7 species: P. perniciosus (n = 364), P. longicuspis (n = 61), P. sergenti (n = 21), P. ariasi (n = 6), P. perfi liewi (n = 3), P. papatasi (n = 1), and Sergentomyia minuta (n = 1). They were organized into 24 pools, each containing up to 30 sandfl ies. Each pool was ground in RNA NOW chaotropic solution (Ozyme, Montigny le Bretonneux, France). RNA purifi cation was performed according to the manufacturer's protocol. A total of 10 μL of RNA suspension was used for reverse transcription with random hexanucleotide primers with the Taqman Reverse Transcription Reagents (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, CA, USA) in a fi nal volume of 50 μL, according to the manufacturer's recommended protocol. To test these specimens for Toscana virus RNA and phlebovirus RNA, we used 10 μL of cDNA in the prev...

Background: Despite being associated with a high mortality and economic burden, data regarding candidemia are scant in Algeria. The aim of this study was to unveil the epidemiology of candidemia in Algeria, evaluate the antifungal susceptibility pattern of causative agents and understand the molecular mechanisms of antifungal resistance where applicable. Furthermore, by performing environmental screening and microsatellite typing we sought to identify the source of infection. Methods: We performed a retrospective epidemiological-based surveillance study and collected available blood yeast isolates recovered from the seven hospitals in Algiers. To identify the source of infection, we performed environmental screening from the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) and high touch areas. Species identification was performed by API Auxa-Color and MALDI-TOF MS and ITS sequencing was performed for species not reliably identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Antifungal susceptibility testing followed CLSI M27-A3/S4 and included all blood and environmental yeast isolates. ERG11 sequencing was performed for azole-resistant Candida isolates. Microsatellite typing was performed for blood and environmental Candida species, where applicable.

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Since a long time, Leishmania major and L. infantum foci in Algeria were geographically separated by the mountains of the Tell Atlas which represent a natural barrier. Recently, a new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) has emerged in the village of El M'hir, located on the north side of the chain of the Tell Atlas, in the basin of the Soummam. During the period 2004-2010, 152 CL cases have been registered and 12 isolates were obtained from patients who declared never having been outside the village the last years. The identification of the parasites showed that all strains belonged to L major MON-25. Investigations on the reservoir hosts showed the presence of the sand rat (Psammomys obesus), for the first time, in this locality. Five strains isolated from this rodent belonged to L. major MON-25. The sand rat, which is usually observed around the chotts in the Saharan and steppe areas, acts as the main reservoir of L. major in Algeria. Its presence in the new focus of El M'hir is reported for the first time. Entomological surveys carried out in 2009 showed the predominance of two sandfly species: Phlebotomus papatasi and P. perniciosus. The first one is known as a vector of L major in the Algerian Sahara. This study highlights the spread of L. major from the arid zones towards the semi arid areas, particularly in the Soummam valley. Climate changes and desertification observed in the steppe area northern Sahara could play a role in the extension of the disease.

Two clinico-epidemiological forms of leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum complex are endemic in Algeria: human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL) and sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis. In the northern part of the country, the Kabylian region is the main endemic HVL focus with more than 200 cases recorded annually. During the summer of 2009, an entomological study was performed in Larbaa Nath Irathen with the aim to identify the vectors of Leishmania and of phleboviruses. In the present paper, we report the results of the Leishmania vectors. In the field, female sand flies, which were alive at collection time, were morphologically identified and examined for the presence of promastigotes. The remaining sandflies (males and dead females) were carried to the laboratory for morphological identification and molecular analysis. Total DNA was extracted from each female sandfly, and ITS2 Leishmania was amplified by PCR. A total of 883 sandfly specimens were collected. Ten distinct species were morphologically identified: one species belonged to the Sergentomyia genus and nine to the Phlebotomus genus. L. infantum DNA was amplified in 1/169 (0.6%) dissected dead females, one Phlebotomus longicuspis. Our data support the Parrot's hypothesis raised in 1941 concerning the role of P. longicuspis in the transmission of L. infantum.

We report for the first time the presence of Phlebotomus mascittii and the female of Phlebotomus chadlii in Algeria. These two species were collected during an entomological study conducted in endemic visceral leishmaniasis focus from the north part of the country, Kabylia.

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