Lakhasly

Leishmaniases are neglected vector-born tropical diseases caused by more than twenty parasite species belonging to the Leishmania genus (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and transmit?ted to humans by the bite of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) sand flies [1].In this study, an epidemiological investigation of leishmaniasis was conducted in a new hypoendemic focus of HL, located in the province of Tipaza, northern Algeria.In Algeria, epidemiological surveillance of leishmaniasis infections was generally based on serological assays for human and canine leish?maniases, while vector incrimination was carried out by dissecting freshly caught or cryopre?served specimens for isolation and isoenzymatic characterization of Leishmania strains present in their midguts [10,11,23,24].Epidemiological investigations and entomological surveys have always been crucial to better understand endemicity of leishmaniasis foci as well as determining the relationship between the vector species and the reservoirs involved in the wild transmission cycle of Leishmania [21,22].Leishmania parasites have a digenetic life cycle, alternating between mammalian hosts, including humans, and female sand fly vectors belonging to the Phlebotomus genus in the Old World and the Lut?zomyia genus in the New World [2].It is noteworthy that Leishmania species reported in this region are the causes of two forms of leishmaniasis: sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis, due to L. infantum MON-24 and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) due to L. infantum MON-1, with an average incidence of 200 and 150 cases per year, respectively [10-14].Recently, many PCR-based molecular approaches with a high degree of sensitivity and specificity have proven to be useful in species detection and identification of Leishmania parasites in sand fly vectors.Regarding this species, the suspected reservoir host is Masouretiera mzabi, a rodent close to the Ctenodactylus gundii that has been found naturally infected with L. killicki in Tunisia [20].Algeria is considered to be one of the ten most affected countries with a higher prevalence of cutaneous (CL) than visceral leish?maniasis (VL) [5].The wild rodents, Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi are the main reservoir hosts of this species [6].L. killicki has recently been reported in several parts of Algeria (Ghardaia, Annaba, Tipaza) and is generally sympatric with L. major [15- 19].Indeed, such studies enable the identification of the potential mam?malian reservoirs and vector feeding preferences [22].and identify their blood meal sources.

Leishmaniases are neglected vector-born tropical diseases caused by more than twenty parasite
species belonging to the Leishmania genus (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and transmit￾ted to humans by the bite of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) sand flies [1]. Leishmania
parasites have a digenetic life cycle, alternating between mammalian hosts, including humans,
and female sand fly vectors belonging to the Phlebotomus genus in the Old World and the Lut￾zomyia genus in the New World [2]. Around 10% of the 800 sand fly species recorded to date
are suspected or proven vectors for the transmission of leishmaniases [3]. According to the
World Health Organization (WHO), these infections occur around the world, with more than
98 countries being affected including those around the Mediterranean. Around 350 million
people are considered at risk, with 1.3 million new cases and around 30,000 deaths recorded
annually [4,5]In Algeria, human and canine leishmaniasis are endemic. Algeria is considered to be one of
the ten most affected countries with a higher prevalence of cutaneous (CL) than visceral leish￾maniasis (VL) [5]. Thus, HL in this country represents a serious public health problem and more
than seven million people are at risk of infection [3,6]. To date, 24 species of sand flies have been
diagnosed in Algeria, including two genera and seven subgenera, of which five sand fly species
are proven or suspected vectors [7,8]. Three Leishmania species are responsible for the disease in
the country. The first is L. major, the agent of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (ZCL) transmit￾ted by P. (P.) papatasi [7]. The wild rodents, Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi are the main
reservoir hosts of this species [6]. ZCLs are mostly recorded in the Sahara and the High Plains
with an annual number varied between 13,749 in 2003 to 16,585 in 2011, making therefor an
average of 14,752 cases per year [9]. The second is L. infantum, transmitted by P. (L.) perniciosus,
P. (L.) perfiliewi and probably by P. (L.) longicuspis. L. infantum is mostly located in northern
parts of the country. It is noteworthy that Leishmania species reported in this region are the
causes of two forms of leishmaniasis: sporadic cutaneous leishmaniasis, due to L. infantum
MON-24 and visceral leishmaniasis (VL) due to L. infantum MON-1, with an average incidence
of 200 and 150 cases per year, respectively [10–14]. For both parasite zymodemes, canids are con￾sidered to be the main reservoir. The third species is L. killicki, which belongs to the L. tropica
complex that causes CL. Transmitted by P. (P.) sergenti. L. killicki has recently been reported in
several parts of Algeria (Ghardaia, Annaba, Tipaza) and is generally sympatric with L. major [15–
19]. Regarding this species, the suspected reservoir host is Masouretiera mzabi, a rodent close to
the Ctenodactylus gundii that has been found naturally infected with L. killicki in Tunisia [20].
The annual incidence remains unknown but is estimated to cause less than 100 cases per year [6].
Epidemiological investigations and entomological surveys have always been crucial to better
understand endemicity of leishmaniasis foci as well as determining the relationship between the
vector species and the reservoirs involved in the wild transmission cycle of Leishmania [21,22].
Studying the blood-feeding pattern of phlebotomine sand flies and their infection status in
endemic areas is important. Indeed, such studies enable the identification of the potential mam￾malian reservoirs and vector feeding preferences [22]. In Algeria, epidemiological surveillance of
leishmaniasis infections was generally based on serological assays for human and canine leish￾maniases, while vector incrimination was carried out by dissecting freshly caught or cryopre￾served specimens for isolation and isoenzymatic characterization of Leishmania strains present in
their midguts [10,11,23,24]. Recently, many PCR-based molecular approaches with a high degree
of sensitivity and specificity have proven to be useful in species detection and identification of
Leishmania parasites in sand fly vectors. Indeed, PCR has been used for the molecular xenomoni￾toring of leishmaniasis as well as for determining the feeding behaviors of sand flies [2].
In this study, an epidemiological investigation of leishmaniasis was conducted in a new
hypoendemic focus of HL, located in the province of Tipaza, northern Algeria. In this area,
human cutaneous leishmaniasis cases due to L.killicki were clinically suspected and interest￾ingly confirmed by molecular tools for the first time in 2013 [16]. An entomological study
combined with molecular tools was used to update informations about the sand flies species
present in this area. It also enabled us to determine their infection rate with Leishmania spp.
and identify their blood meal sources. These data gathered are an important element in order
to establish a reliable control program against HL in this area.