Diversity and Seasonal Occurrence of Sand Flies and the Impact of Climatic Change in Aichoune Locality, Central Morocco

Abstract

Cutaneous leishmanias are an endemic in Morocco. The commune of Tazouta (locality of Aichoune) has been reported as a Leishmanian risk area. The impact of climatic factors on the epidemiology of leishmaniasis diseases has become an essential study for scientific research given the climate change experienced by the various Leishmanian foci. Weather changes in any of these parameters contribute to the creation of optimal ecological niches for the biological life of vectors. Therefore, we undertook this entomological study to better understand the distribution and epidemiology of this disease. The entomological survey was carried out in the town of Aichoune for one year from October 2013 to September 2014 using Sticky traps. The results of this study, undertaken from 2013 to 2014, showed the predominance of Phlebotomus sergenti (80.08%) followed by Ph. perniciosus (11.63%), Ph. papatasi (6.69%) and Ph. longicuspis (1.43%) while Ph. sergenti was active for only 6 months. These results could explain the increased incidence of cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. tropica in this study area. Ph. perniciosus and Ph. longicuspis also exhibited a wide distribution and a long period of activity indicating a potential high risk of transmission of Leishmania infantum. The high prevalence of sand flies was recorded in June when the temperature values reached respectively 25.8 ° C. The results show a positive correlation between temperature and the four vector species and a negative correlation with precipitation. These results could help the authorities to prevent from the risk of leishmaniasis. Indeed, medium-term climate forecasts are essential tools for developing a leishmaniasis warning system.