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

Cutaneous and visceral leishmaniases are endemic in Morocco. Their geographical distribution is well known. It has been related to bioclimatic factors. However, in 2008, two new cutaneous leishmaniasis foci appeared out of the known risk areas. Hence, we have undertaken this entomological survey in five foci situated in different bioclimatic areas to better understand the distribution and the epidemiology of this disease. Results of this study, undertaken during 2011, showed the predominance of Phlebotomus sergenti (55.8%) followed by Ph. perniciosus (12.9%), Ph. longicuspis (12.3%), and Ph. papatasi (12.0%). Ph. sergenti was active during 6 months in subhumid area and 8 months in arid, semiarid, and Saharan areas. Compared to previous studies, our results show a rise in Ph. sergenti abundance and an extension of its activity period. These results could explain the increase in anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis incidence in Morocco and its extension to new nonendemic regions. Ph. perniciosus and Ph. longicuspis have also displayed a large distribution and a long activity period indicating a high potential risk of Leishmania infantum transmission in the studied areas. 1. Background Leishmaniases are endemic in Morocco with two described forms; visceral (VL) and cutaneous (CL). Two types of CL are observed: anthroponotic (ACL) and zoonotic (ZCL) leishmaniases. Mucocutaneous leishmaniasis was described in Morocco but remains rare [1]. The geographical distribution of different leishmaniasis forms in Morocco has been clearly defined [2, 3]. It was related to bioclimatic areas described in Morocco. According to Rioux et al. [4], bioclimate affects the vector’s distribution and density and hence disease prevalence. VL due to Leishmania infantum is sporadic but extending on large parts of Morocco in all bioclimatic areas because of the large distribution of its sandflies vectors; Phlebotomus longicuspis, Ph. Perniciosus, and Ph. ariasi. The ZCL caused by L. major is endemic especially in the southern slopes of the Atlas Mountains where its unique vector, Ph. papatasi and its reservoir host, Meriones shawi, are prevalent. While the ACL due to L. tropica is endemic in arid and semiarid regions in the center and mainly in northwestern slopes of the Atlas Mountains where its proven vector Ph. sergenti is dominant. Over the last years, leishmaniases have emerged or spread in many countries of Europe especially in the Mediterranean region. Most of declared outbreaks have been linked to global and local changes resulting of climatic changes or growth in human