Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Algeria; Highlight on the Focus of M’Sila

Abstract

Algeria ranks second after Afghanistan for the incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) worldwide. Here, we report a 34-years retrospective analysis of CL in Algeria and focused on the most affected region, the M'Sila province. All 66 cutaneous isolates corresponded to <i>Leishmania</i> (<i>L</i>.) <i>major</i>. Our study of the sandfly and rodent fauna further highlighted the high density of <i>Phlebotomus papatasi</i> and additional phlebotomine species of medical importance, not previously identified in M'Sila. Wild rodents belonging to nine species were trapped in M'Sila, and <i>Psammomys obesus</i> and <i>Meriones shawi</i> were found infected by <i>L. major</i>. In addition, <i>Leishmania infantum</i> was isolated from two visceral leishmaniasis cases, one dog and its proven vectors (<i>P. perniciosus</i>, <i>P. longicuspis</i>, and <i>P. perfiliewi</i>) inventoried during the survey. The high incidence of CL in the M'Sila province is likely a consequence of the increase in minimum temperatures recorded that constitutes suitable conditions for establishing a high endemicity and leads to an explosive rise in leishmaniases cases in this region. A thorough investigation of the underlying risk factors is urgently needed to detect new cases earlier. All these would improve the preparedness to fight the disease.