Leishmaniasis in Morocco: diseases and vectors

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

“…In Morocco, P. papatasi is the proven vector of L. major , agent of ZCL (Rioux et al In the present survey, P. papatasi was collected in the Saharan climate, with sand‐loam soil texture and altitudes of 800 to 1,000 m (Table ). These ecological preferences correspond to the main endemic distribution area for the ZCL in Morocco (Kahime et al …”

“…This species was well adapted to arid climate conditions (Rioux et al , Boussaa et al and its density increased with aridity (Croset et al This might also explain the constant epidemiological situation of ZCL in Morocco since the 1970s. Currently, ZCL is basically linked to palm groves in Saharan and pre‐Saharan areas (Kahime et al …”

“…In contrast, according to altitude, P. papatasi was more abundant between 400 and 600 m in 2002 and it was absent between 1,200 and 1,400 m (Guernaoui et al We collected P. papatasi up to 1,800 m (0.19%) with a peak at 800–1,000 m. There is evidence that climate changes contribute to vector distribution, and it is confirmed by vertical extent of ZCL in Morocco. In the same area (Saharan and pre‐Saharan zones), ZCL becomes widespread south of the Anti‐Atlas and High‐Atlas mountains, and east of the Middle Atlas mountains (Kahime et al …”

“…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.…”

“…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. Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) caused by L. infantum are widespread in northern Morocco, including the Meknes-Tafilalete region (Amro et al 2013).…”