Coexistence of Cutaneous and Visceral Leishmaniasis in the Province of Moulay Yaâcoub, North-Central Morocco

Abstract

Leishmaniasis is an infectious disease transmitted to humans by the bite of a female sandfly. In Morocco, leishmaniasis is considered a real health concern. The aims of this study were to analyze the epidemiological situation and identify localities at risk of transmission of leishmaniasis in the province of Moulay Yaâcoub. The study was a retrospective analysis of leishmaniasis cases reported over a period of 11 years from 2005 to 2015 in Moulay Yaâcoub Province. The data were collected from the registries of the Prefectural Cell of the Moulay Yaâcoub Province Medical Delegation, Regional Directorate of Health, Fez-Meknes, and analyzed statistically. The results showed that leishmaniasis was present, with an annual average of 18.63 cases. A total of 205 cases of leishmaniasis were recorded, with 53% cutaneous leishmaniasis and 47% visceral leishmaniasis. Females were the most affected, at 53.7%, mainly by cutaneous leishmaniasis, although the difference was not statistically significant (χ 2 = 0.7, pvalue = 0.79). Cutaneous leishmaniasis affected all age groups, whereas visceral leishmaniasis affected only young people under 30. The communes most affected were Ain Chkef and Ain Kansara, and the difference between the proportions of cases detected in the different sites was statistically significant (χ2 = 96.03, p-value < 0.05). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time such a study has been conducted in Moulay Yaâcoub Province.