New epidemiological pattern of cutaneous leishmaniasis in two pre-Saharan arid provinces, southern Morocco

Acta Tropica
Mouad Ait KbaichMeryem Lemrani

Abstract

Three Leishmania species are responsible of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) in Morocco. Zoonotic CL due to Leishmania major and Leishmania infantum, the first is known as established in the eastern arid regions, whereas the latter evolves sporadically, especially in the North. While Leishmania tropica, classically considered anthroponotic, is endemic in the semi-arid regions and is largely distributed throughout the country. The aim of this study was to identify the Leishmania species causing CL in two Provinces in arid pre-Saharan region known as zoonotic CL foci, and to contribute an update to the national data concerning the distribution of Leishmania species in both regions. The recruitment of patients was done in six localities in Ouarzazate and Zagoura provinces in 2015 and 2016. Out of 81 samples collected, 66 were positive (81%) by ITS1-PCR amplification of Leishmania DNA extracted from stained smears. The highest rate of Leishmania infection was registered in children aged 9 years or less (71,2%). The ITS1-PCR- RFLP analysis revealed the predominance of L. major infecting 52 patients (79%), followed by L. tropica in 12 patients (18%) and L. infantum in 2 patients who had no history of travel outside the studied area (3%)....Continue Reading

References

Jul 1, 1985·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Joseph Felsenstein

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Citations

Sep 6, 2019·BioMed Research International·Maryam HakkourFaiza Sebti
May 8, 2020·Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Infectious Diseases·Fatima Zahra TalbiAbdelhakim El Ouali Lalami
Oct 15, 2019·Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology·Fatima Conceição-Silva, Fernanda N Morgado
Oct 24, 2020·Transboundary and Emerging Diseases·Othmane DaouiMeryem Lemrani

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