Entomological and epidemiological study of a new focus of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to Leishmania tropica Wright has become an increasingly important problem in Al-Haouz province, Morocco. The objective of this paper was to undertake a retrospective analysis of CL between 2000 and 2006 and to study the sandfly fauna for the first time in this focus. The consultation of bulletins, registers and monthly and annual reports published by local and national medical services permitted a global synthesis of CL in Al-Haouz between 2000 and 2006. Sandflies were collected using sticky-paper traps in five selected stations in two communes, Ourika and Sti Fadma, the most affected by CL in Al-Haouz. Overall, 2,648 sandflies, belonging to five species of Phlebotomus and three of Sergentomyia, were collected. Phlebotomus sergenti Parrot (14.5%) was found in all studied stations where it was associated with domestic and peridomestic habitats. Based on this first report on ecology of sandflies and epidemiology of CL, Al-Haouz seems to be a typical focus of L. tropica and P. sergenti like the other Moroccan foci. Two communes, Sti Fadma and Ourika, constituted an important CL micro-focus in this region. Considering their economical importance (trade and tourism), they contribute probably to the dissemination of Leishmania parasite in bordering regions.

Distribution and Bionomic of Sand Flies in Five Ecologically Different Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Foci in Morocco

“…Other studies also indicated that these species are the most common sand �ies in Morocco [2,18,19]. ese species are known to be dominant in anthropic environments and are easily collected inside and in the vicinity of human dwellings [16,17].…”

Spatial relations among environmental factors and phlebotomine sand fly populations (Diptera: Psychodidae) in central and southern Morocco

“…Currently, ACL is the most widespread leishmaniasis form in Morocco. L. tropica foci have been reported the rural areas of Azilal, Essaouira, Chichaoua, and Al Haouz (Pratlong et al Guernaoui et al Ramaoui et al and the more urban and peri‐urban areas of Taza and Zouagha Moulay Yaacoub (Guessous‐Idrissi et al Guessous‐Idrissi , Rhajaoui et al In terms of soil texture, characterization of P. sergenti breeding habitats in Marrakech city showed an exigency of sandy soil. In Israël, Moncaz et al showed also sandy soil for P. sergenti breeding habitats.…”

“…Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by Leishmania tropica is widespread in Guelmim‐Es Smara, Marrakech‐Tensift‐Al Haouz, Souss‐Massa‐Draa, and Tadla‐Azilal regions. Several foci have been reported in the rural areas of Azilal, Essaouira, Chichaoua, Al Haouz, Guelmim, Taroudant, and Beni Mellal provinces (Pratlong et al Guernaoui et al Ramaoui et al Rhajaoui et al Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by L. major is extended in the Saharan and pre‐Saharan areas of Guelmim‐Es Smara, Meknes‐Tafilalete, and Souss‐Massa‐Draa regions such as Tata, Ouarzazate and Errachidia (Rioux et al Kahime et al Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by L. infantum are widespread in northern Morocco, including the Meknes‐Tafilalete region (Amro et al In Marrakech‐Tensift‐Al Haouz, Tadla‐Azilal, and Souss‐Massa‐Draa, L. infantum infections are sporadic.…”

“…From an epidemiological perspective, the study area contains all leishmaniasis forms recorded in Morocco. Anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ACL) caused by , Ramaoui et al 2008, Rhajaoui et al 2012. Zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) caused by L. major is extended in the Saharan and pre-Saharan areas of Guelmim-Es Smara, Meknes-Tafilalete, and Souss-Massa-Draa regions such as Tata, Ouarzazate and Errachidia (Rioux et al 1986a, Kahime et al 2014.…”

Differential ecological traits of two Phlebotomus sergenti mitochondrial lineages in southwestern Europe and their epidemiological implications

“…In Moroccan foci where ACL is emerging, densities of 4–16 sandflies/m 2 have been found , whereas in a typical ACL focus in arid areas in Tunisia, a density of 1.8 sandflies/m 2 has been reported .…”