Circulating species of Leishmania at microclimate area of Boulemane Province, Morocco: impact of environmental and human factors

Abstract

BackgroundCutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is widely distributed in Morocco where its geographical range and incidence are related to environmental factors. This study aimed to examine the impact of several factors on the distribution of CL in Boulemane Province, which is characterized by several microclimates, and to identify the Leishmania species circulating in these areas.MethodsOrdinary least squares regression (OLSR) analysis was performed to study the impact of poverty, vulnerability, population density, urbanization and bioclimatic factors on the distribution of CL in this province. Molecular characterization of parasites was performed using a previously described PCR-RFLP method targeting the ITS1 of ribosomal DNA of Leishmania.ResultsA total of 1009 cases were declared in Boulemane Province between the years 2000 and 2015 with incidences fluctuating over the years (P = 0.007). Analyzing geographical maps of the study region identified four unique microclimate areas; sub-humid, semi-arid, arid and Saharan. The geographical distribution and molecular identification of species shows that the Saharan microclimate, characterized by the presence of Leishmania major was the most affected (47.78%) followed by semi-arid area where Leishmania tropica was identified in three districts. Among several environmental factors included in the study, poverty had the greatest influence on the spatial extension of the disease in this province.ConclusionsThe incidence of CL in Boulemane Province varies between microclimate areas, and environmental factors partly explain this variation. However, the existence of CL in the most affected districts is mainly related to poverty, population movement and human behavior. To our knowledge, this the first study utilizing molecular techniques to confirm L. tropica and L. major as the causative agents of CL in Boulemane Province. Our findings indicate that the spatial and temporal distribution of CL in Boulemane Province is strongly related to poverty and population movement.

Leishmaniasis in Northern Morocco: Predominance of Leishmania infantum Compared to Leishmania tropica

“…The recently published work revealed a new distribution of species by province. Indeed, many studies reported that CL cases in south-east of Morocco were caused essentially by L. major but L. tropica is also present [15–17]. However, in the Southwestern, L. tropica is the only circulating species [18–20].…”

Risk mapping of human HIV-Leishmaniasis co-infection in Morocco

“…Currently, the change in the epidemiological trends of leishmaniasis was noted in Morocco with the spread of L. tropica and L. infantum to areas known until then as free and consequently, the overlap of the spatial distribution areas of the three Leishmania species (Hakkour et al., 2016; Hmamouch et al., 2017). Geographical distribution of our epidemiological data (Fig.…”

Cartography and Epidemiological Study of Leishmaniasis Disease in Sefrou Province (2007–2010), Central North of Morocco

“…It is located in northern central Atlas and medium, and it is limited to the east by the Province of Taza, in the west by the province of El Hajeb, in the north by Fes prefectures, and the south by the provinces of Ifrane and Boulemane. Most of these mountainous provinces are endemic and considered as focus of human CL [20,22,25]. e maximum and minimum mean monthly temperatures were, respectively, 25°C (July) and 10°C (December).…”

“…e epidemiological situation of leishmaniasis in Morocco and the distribution of Leishmania species vary from one region to another. According to the literature, many studies have shown that cases of CL in south-eastern Morocco were mainly caused by L. major with presence of the L. tropica case also [21,22]. In central Morocco, L. tropica is the only agent responsible for CL cases in certain provinces [23].…”