Species composition of phlebotomine sand fly fauna in an area with sporadic cases of Leishmania infantum human visceral leishmaniasis, Morocco.
Visceral and cutaneous leishmaniases are the main endemic vector-born diseases in Morocco. Human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL), by Leishmania infantum, currently presents a significant health problem throughout the country and may constitute factor for death, especially among children with less than 15 years old. In the past, HVL has been basically absent or at least sporadic in Marrakesh-Tensift-Al Haouz region; however it became significant during the last decade. An entomological survey and a retrospective study on L. infantum HVL cases had been carried out to assess the risk of the disease apparition in this region. 7046 sand flies (Diptera: Psychodidae) were collected and studied from twelve localities within Marrakesh-Tensift-Al Haouz region. The result shows the presence of ten sand fly species, 58.76% from the genus Phlebotomus and 41.24% from genus Sergentomyia. A further analysis indicates that Phlebotomus perniciosus, Phlebotomus longicuspis and Phlebotomus ariasi species, incriminated vectors of L. infantum, are dominant (35.56%), so, we describe their spatial (according to altitude and biotopes) and temporal (seasonal activity) distribution in study area.
Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, (URAC 32, CNRST; ERACNERS 06), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco.
Kholoud
K
Kahime
Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, (URAC 32, CNRST; ERACNERS 06), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco; Institut Supérieur des Professions Infirmières et des Techniques de Santé (ISPITS), Ministry of Health, Marrakesh, Morocco. Electronic address: samiaboussaa@yahoo.fr.
Samia
S
Boussaa
Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, (URAC 32, CNRST; ERACNERS 06), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco.
Fouad
F
Ouanaimi
Laboratory of Ecology and Environment, (URAC 32, CNRST; ERACNERS 06), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco.
Ali
A
Boumezzough
D000531:Altitude; D000818:Animals; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D004772:Entomology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018314:Leishmania infantum / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D007898:Leishmaniasis, Visceral / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D008297:Male; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D011576:Psychodidae / Q000145:classification* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000502:physiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons
Larroussius species; Leishmania infantum; Morocco; Seasonality