BackgroundMany sand fly species are implicated in the transmission cycle of Leishmania parasites around the world. Incriminating new sand flies species, as vectors of Leishmania is crucial to understanding the parasite–vector transmission cycle in different areas in Tunisia and surrounding countries.FindingsSeventy-four unfed females belonging to the genera Sergentomyia and Phlebotomus were collected in South Tunisia between June and November 2014, using sticky papers. PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) was used for Leishmania parasites detection and identification. Leishmania (L.) major (Yakimoff & Shokkor, 1914) was identified within two Sergentomyia (S.) minuta (Rondani, 1843) and one Phlebotomus papatasi (Scopoli, 1786).ConclusionThis is the first report of L. major identified from S. minuta in Tunisia. This novel finding enhances the understanding of the transmission cycle of L. major parasites of cutaneous leishmaniasis in an endemic area in South Tunisia.

During the time periods of June 2015 and from July to August 2016, sandflies were collected among seven collection sites of the three leishmaniasis endemic villages of Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia. A total of 690 sandflies were captured and identified (380 males and 310 females). Four species belonging to genus () and two species belonging to genus were identified. DNA was detected in four out of 310 females (one and three). The overall sensitivity of the gene detection reached 76%. The concurrent presence of and vectors, the analysis of blood-meals, together with the detection of in , confirms the ultimate conditions for the transmission of the disease in center Tunisia. These results expand the known epidemiological area of distrubtion of leishmaniasis and its vectors in this part of Tunisia, highlighting the need for ongoing entomological and parasitological surveillance.

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In Tunisia, chronic cutaneous leishmaniasis due to is an important health problem. Its spreading has not been fully elucidated. Information on sandfly vectors, as well as their associated species, is of paramount importance since vector dispersion is one of the major factors responsible for pathogen dissemination. Ninety-seven unfed females belonging to the genera and were collected between June and August 2015 using sticky paper traps. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the internal transcribed spacer 1and sequencing were used for detection and identification. In total, 650 sandflies were captured and identified (380 males and 270 females). Ninety-seven unfed females were tested for the presence of parasite DNA. Six were found positive for. This novel finding enhances the understanding of the cycle extension of outside its original focus of Tataouine.

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