Surveillance of Leishmaniasis: Inventory and Seasonal Fluctuation of Phlebotomine Sandflies (Diptera: Psychodidae), at the Prefecture of Meknes (Center of Morocco)

Abstract

Phlebotomine sandflies are bloodsucking insects responsible for the transmission of leishmaniasis. The average annual incidence in Morocco, of this pathology, was approximately estimated in 2014 as 7.8 per 100.000 inhabitants according to the Moroccan health information service records. The study of the composition of the Phlebotomian community and its seasonal dynamics are essential for determining the appropriate and adequate means of control at the prefecture of Meknes in Central Morocco. It is with this in mind that two capture sessions per month using sticky paper traps were conducted at the sites of sandflies. A total of 982 sandflies were captured. The identification of the specimens found via the Moroccan key revealed a percentage of 73.3% belonging to the subgenus Paraphlebotomus, 6.3% to the Phlebotomus subgenus, 16.2% to Larroussius, and 4.2% of Sergentomia subgenus. Phlebotomus sergenti, vector of human cutaneous leishmaniasis, was found as the more abundant with 73.3% followed by Larroussius longicuspis with 8.2%. The largest number of species was harvested in July and September with, respectively, 44.8 ph/m2/night and 48.7 ph/m2/night. This study also unveiled that the two high-risk Leishmanian months are July and September, hence, the need to strengthen efforts to monitor and control this disease during the vector activity period.