[Meriones shawi (Duvernoy, 1842) [Rodentia, Gerbillidae] a reservoir of Leishmania major, Yakimoff and Schokhor, 1914 [Kinetoplastida, Trypanosomatidae] in South Morocco (author's transl)].

Abstract

For the first time a report is made of Meriones shawi (Duvernoy, 1842) infected by Leishmania major Yakimoff and Shokhor, 1914. The parasite was observed in two of 28 Meriones captured in the immediate vicinity of the Tata administrative center (South Morocco). M. shawi, because it is sub-commercial with man and abundant, is very likely one of the reservoirs of human cutaneous leishmaniasis in this area.